What exactly happened during the Hungerford incident?

On 27 February, the Hungerford WW1 shell was found on a building site. Police set a cordon, people were evacuated, and a specialist team performed a controlled detonation. No injuries were reported. Work paused and then resumed after safety checks and an all clear.

How common is unexploded ordnance on UK construction sites?

UXO is not routine, but it does turn up on UK sites from time to time, especially where historic activity suggests higher risk. That includes former military areas, ports, rail corridors, and bombed urban zones. Sensible screening and plans reduce surprises and keep people and programmes safe.

What should developers plan and budget for to manage UXO risk?

Allow for a UXO desk study, targeted risk assessment, and intrusive surveys where justified. Include time for possible callouts and re-sequencing. Agree stop-work and reporting rules in contracts and RAMS. Tell insurers and keep records. These steps support construction site safety and limit project delay risk.

Who is responsible when suspected UXO is found during works?

The site manager should stop work, secure the area, and call 999. Police take control of the cordon and request Explosive Ordnance Disposal support. The EOD team assesses and, if needed, removes or detonates. The client and principal contractor keep people safe and record actions.

Law and Government

February 27: Hungerford WW1 Shell Detonation Puts UXO Risk in Focus

ByHuzaifa Zahoor February 28, 2026February 28, 2026

The Hungerford WW1 shell, confirmed at a local construction site on 27 February, was safely detonated after an evacuation and police cordon. The event shows how unexploded ordnance UK can halt works within minutes and reshape plans. For developers, lenders, and property investors, risk checks, insurance cover, and schedule buffers are now practical needs. We explain what happened, the legal and cost implications, and simple steps to improve construction site safety and limit project delay risk across GB schemes. This brief is for UK-focused teams planning ground works in 2026.