Insurance shock over bomb removal plan
Stunned residents have learned their home insurance may not cover damage from explosions during a government bomb removal exercise.
Hampshire's emergency planning boss Ian Hoult admitted the evacuations could render insurance policies null and void at a second packed residents' meeting over the massive operation.
He told the crowd at Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington, last night that in that event, any claims for compensation would be handled by the MoD.
From September 25 residents of Lee-on-the-Solent and Stubbington face evacuations as about 20 Second World War pipe mines are removed from the former HMS Daedalus site. Operations will take place for five weeks. The main evacuations will be on Monday mornings.
But most insurance policies do not cover war, terrorism or acts of government – which includes the evacuation plans.
Kevin Cross, landlord of the Golden Bowler pub, in Stubbington Lane, Stubbington, said: 'It is common sense to check about extreme circumstances, and this is certainly one.
'My insurance company will not cover me if any damage is done to the pub as a result of these explosions.
'Of course, with all these empty homes, there is a danger of looting, as someone will try their luck, even if there are police everywhere and helicopters overhead.
'It's a large number of houses to protect – how many people's insurance will be null and void against that sort of thing?'
Also unhappy was Mary Sutton-Coulson, who feared the road closures may force her to close her business.
She lives to one side of Daedalus, off Stubbington Lane, while her Solent Physiotherapy office is in the centre of Lee-on-the-Solent village near the other end of the base.
She said: 'It's going to cause all sorts of problems, especially during half term week.
'Almost all the staff work this side, and getting to the business is going to be very difficult.
'We might just have to close when the road closures are in place, and even then we won't know from day-to-day to let people know.'
But there was some good news for residents.
Mr Hoult announced Royal Mail had agreed to deliver post extra early on the evacuation days when the closures begin at 9.30am.
This was met with cheers from the 200-strong crowd, with one person shouting that he wanted more evacuations if it meant early deliveries.
dan.kerins@thenews.co.uk
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