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What is a UXO Risk Assessment?
A UXO Risk Assessment is a site-specific report that examines the potential risk posed by explosive ordnance to site investigations and intrusive works.
For the majority of construction projects and offshore works across the UK, the risk of encountering UXO will be minimal – but in many cases the impact of past military activity and historic aerial bombing on or near your site may not be obvious. It is recommended that all construction and site investigation projects consider the possibility of encountering UXO as early as possible in the project plan.
Produced in accordance with CIRIA C681 guidance, a UXO Risk Assessment provides developers, contractors and project managers with a defensible, evidence-based assessment of UXO risk – classified across six risk levels from Negligible to High.
1st Line Defence provide two types of UXO Risk Assessment: a (Stage 1) Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment and a (Stage 2) Detailed UXO Risk Assessment. If a UXO risk is identified from the assessment, mitigation measures can be put in place to manage the associated risks.
When is a UXO Risk Assessment required?
A UXO Risk Assessment is the first step in managing UXO risk on construction, infrastructure and redevelopment projects. It is undertaken before intrusive works commence to determine whether historical military activity or wartime bombing could present a risk to the proposed development, and whether any further mitigation measures are required.
Completing a UXO Risk Assessment early in the planning or pre-construction phase allows project teams to identify potential hazards before ground is broken. This helps developers, contractors and consultants make informed decisions, reduce unforeseen risks and ensure any required mitigation is proportionate to the identified threat.
A UXO Risk Assessment is commonly recommended for projects involving:
- Residential developments.
- Commercial and industrial construction.
- Brownfield redevelopment.
- Infrastructure and highway projects.
- Utilities and pipeline installations.
- Renewable energy developments.
- Ground investigations and geotechnical works.
- Piling, deep foundations and basement construction.
- Land acquisition and due diligence.
- Planning applications and discharge of planning conditions.
Not every site will require further UXO risk mitigation. For many developments, a Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment will be sufficient to demonstrate that the likelihood of encountering UXO is sufficiently low enough that no additional research, surveys or mitigation measures are necessary.
Where a credible risk is identified, the Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment provides clear recommendations on the most appropriate next steps, which may include a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment, UXO Survey or other project-specific risk mitigation support.
Our UXO Risk Assessment Methodology
UXO Risk Assessments produced by 1st Line Defence follow a structured, research-led methodology designed to provide proportionate and commercially aligned advice.
Each assessment typically includes:
Analysis of historical mapping and documented military activity to determine previous site use.
Interrogation of bomb census data, air raid precaution (ARP) incident records, Luftwaffe target intelligence and high-resolution WWII-era aerial photography to identify recorded and potential strike locations.
Cross-referencing multiple independent datasets, including information not available within the public domain – to improve positional accuracy and reduce reliance on single-source records.
Assessment of the proposed scope of works (e.g. piling, boreholes, trial pits) to determine whether the depth and nature of ground penetration materially increases the likelihood of UXO encounter.
Assignment of a defined risk level (Negligible to High) using probability bands – followed by clear, proportionate recommendations to reduce risk to ALARP.
This structured approach ensures that each UXO Risk Assessment is bespoke, evidence-based and aligned with CIRIA C681 guidance for the construction industry.
A UXO Risk Assessment helps you:
- Identify whether historical military activity could affect your site.
- Assess the likelihood of encountering UXO during construction.
- Support planning, design and pre-construction decision-making.
- Determine whether further UXO mitigation is required.
- Recommend the most appropriate risk management strategy for the proposed works.
- Demonstrate a proactive approach to construction health and safety.
How is risk classified in a UXO Risk Assessment?
UXO risk is classified by considering both the likelihood of explosive ordnance being present and encountered during the proposed works, and the potential consequences of an encounter. At 1st Line Defence, the resulting risk is expressed using a qualitative six-tier scale: Negligible, Low, Low-Medium, Medium, Medium-High and High.
The assessment is informed by CIRIA C681 guidance and site-specific evidence, and where a foreseeable UXO hazard is identified – the assessment recommends proportionate risk-mitigation measures to reduce and manage the risk to ALARP.
UXO risk is assessed and classified using a scale based on probability and potential consequence:
Available evidence indicates that UXO is not expected to present a credible risk to the proposed works, for example because of previous clearance, substantial groundworks or other site-specific constraints. No UXO-specific mitigation is normally required.
There is no positive site-specific evidence indicating an elevated UXO risk, although the possibility of isolated UXO cannot be entirely discounted. No proactive mitigation is normally required, although UXO awareness measures may be appropriate.
There is some evidence of an elevated UXO potential above background levels, but the likelihood of UXO being encountered during the proposed works is not considered significant. UXO awareness measures are normally recommended; proactive survey or specialist support is not generally considered proportionate.
There is positive evidence of bombing, explosive ordnance activity or other circumstances affecting the site or immediate vicinity whereby unexploded ordnance may have gone unnoticed and/or unrecorded and could remain in-situ. Active UXO risk mitigation is normally recommended.
There is strong site-specific evidence of UXO contamination and a significant potential for UXO to remain present and be encountered during the proposed works. Active risk mitigation and controlled working methods will normally be required.
UXO contamination is known or there is compelling site-specific evidence that UXO is likely to be present – for example at a former firing range, munitions disposal or burial area – or where confirmed UXO finds are consistent with the documented site history. Specialist investigation, mitigation and/or clearance, together with controlled working methods will normally be required.
Why should I order a UXO Risk Assessment from 1st Line Defence
Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment Process
A Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment is a desktop-based study that determines whether a site is likely to be affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO) resulting from historical military activity or wartime bombing. It provides an evidence-based assessment of the potential risk before construction or intrusive groundworks commence.
Unlike automated mapping tools, every Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment produced by 1st Line Defence is researched and interpreted by an experienced specialist. By analysing historical records, mapping, aerial photography and other relevant datasets, we build a site-specific understanding of the potential UXO threat and provide clear, proportionate recommendations tailored to your project.
The report enables developers, contractors and consultants to make informed decisions at an early stage, helping to identify whether further investigation or mitigation is required before works begin.
A Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment is typically the first stage in managing UXO risk on any development project. It is commonly commissioned during planning, design or pre-construction to establish whether unexploded ordnance could affect the proposed works and whether additional mitigation is likely to be required.
Typical applications include:
- Residential developments
- Commercial and industrial construction
- Infrastructure and highway projects
- Utilities and pipeline installations
- Renewable energy developments
- Ground investigations and site investigations
- Land acquisition and due diligence
- Planning applications and discharge of planning conditions
For many sites, a Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment is sufficient to demonstrate that the risk is low and that no further UXO mitigation is necessary.
Every Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment is built upon detailed historical research using multiple authoritative information sources. Rather than relying on a single dataset or automated mapping system, our researchers combine historical evidence with professional judgement to develop a comprehensive understanding of the site's history.
Typical information reviewed includes:
- Historical bombing records
- Historic Ordnance Survey mapping
- Wartime aerial photography
- Recorded military activity
- Anti-aircraft batteries and military installations
- Historic industrial and defence infrastructure
- Post-war bomb disposal records
- Existing site history and previous development
Each source contributes to an evidence-based assessment of the likelihood that UXO may remain within the site today.
Your Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment provides more than a simple risk rating. It explains how the conclusions have been reached and what they mean for your project.
The report typically considers:
- Previous military use
- Location history and historic land use
- Reports and records of air-delivered bombs from WWI and WWII
- Frequency of access
- Bomb damage
- Ground cover
- Mitigating factors
- The extent and nature of the proposed intrusive works
- Whether additional research is required
Our objective is to provide practical recommendations that help clients manage risk efficiently whilst avoiding unnecessary mitigation.
Effective UXO Risk Assessments rely on the quality of the research behind them. Whilst some providers use automated mapping software to generate reports, every assessment produced by 1st Line Defence is researched and reviewed by experienced specialists.
Our dedicated research department – one of the largest in the UK UXO risk mitigation sector – draws upon multiple historical sources to develop bespoke, evidence-based assessments tailored to the specific characteristics of each site. This approach enables us to provide balanced, proportionate recommendations that reflect both the available historical evidence and the proposed construction activities.
By combining technical expertise with detailed historical research, we help clients make informed decisions with confidence rather than relying solely on automated outputs.
Once the Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment has been completed, our specialists will recommend the most appropriate next steps based on the identified potential level of risk.
Depending on the findings, this may include:
- No further UXO research or mitigation where the assessed risk is minimal.
- A Detailed UXO Risk Assessment where additional site-specific analysis is required.
- A UXO Survey to investigate identified risks before intrusive works commence.
- UXO Watching Briefs or Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) support for higher-risk construction activities.
Our recommendations are always proportionate to the identified risk, helping clients manage safety, programme and cost throughout the construction lifecycle.
Detailed UXO Risk Assessment Process
A Detailed UXO Risk Assessment provides a comprehensive analysis of the site's history, wartime activity and proposed construction works. The objective is to understand not only whether UXO may be present, but also how that risk could affect the planned development.
Detailed assessments consider a wider range of historical evidence and construction-specific factors to produce a more refined evaluation of the identified UXO threat. This enables more targeted mitigation strategies to be developed, helping clients manage risk efficiently whilst avoiding unnecessary costs.
Every Detailed UXO Risk Assessment follows a structured, evidence-based methodology developed through many years of supporting construction and infrastructure projects throughout the UK.
Our specialists evaluate a wide range of factors, including:
- Historical bombing density and targeting patterns
- Type and characteristics of wartime ordnance
- Military occupation and training activities
- Historical aerial photography
- Existing and historical land use
- Ground conditions and geology
- Post-war redevelopment and ground disturbance
- Previous UXO discoveries
- Proposed construction activities and excavation depths
By combining historical evidence with construction-specific information, we can develop practical recommendations that are proportionate to the identified risk.
Where appropriate, Detailed UXO Risk Assessments divide the development into individual risk zones based on the available historical evidence and proposed construction activities.
Rather than treating the entire site as presenting the same level of risk, zoning enables our specialists to identify areas where UXO hazards are more or less likely to occur.
This approach helps:
- Target mitigation where it is genuinely required
- Reduce unnecessary survey costs
- Improve construction programme efficiency
- Support phased development strategies
- Minimise unnecessary disruption to lower-risk areas
Site-specific risk zoning is particularly valuable for large infrastructure and multi-phase developments where UXO risk may vary significantly across the site.
The purpose of a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment is not simply to identify risk, but to determine the most appropriate method of managing it.
Depending on the findings, our risk mitigation strategy recommendations may include:
- No additional mitigation where risks are considered acceptable
- Non-intrusive UXO Surveys
- Intrusive UXO Surveys
- UXO Watching Briefs
- Specialist On-site Support
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) or clearance support
- Alternative construction methodologies
- Project-specific safety procedures
By selecting mitigation measures that are proportionate to the identified risk, clients can protect personnel whilst avoiding unnecessary expenditure and programme delays.
No two development sites are identical. Even neighbouring sites can present very different UXO risks depending on historical bombing patterns, military activity, post-war redevelopment and previous ground disturbance.
For this reason, 1st Line Defence produces bespoke, site-specific assessments rather than relying on generic mapping outputs or broad regional assumptions.
Our researchers evaluate the unique characteristics of every site to ensure recommendations reflect the actual historical evidence, proposed construction activities and project objectives. This enables clients to make better-informed decisions whilst ensuring UXO mitigation remains proportionate to the identified threat.
What are the legal requirements for managing UXO risk?
Construction professionals have statutory duties to identify and manage foreseeable risks during development works. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees and others affected by their activities.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) place specific duties on Clients, Principal Designers and Contractors to:
- Identify foreseeable risks during the pre-construction phase.
- Eliminate or reduce risks through design and planning.
- Provide relevant pre-construction information.
- Ensure appropriate risk control measures are implemented.
Where historical evidence indicates the potential presence of UXO, it may represent a foreseeable hazard that should be considered as part of this process. A UXO Risk Assessment provides evidence to support this decision-making, can inform pre-construction information and the Construction Phase Plan, and enables proportionate mitigation measures to be identified so that UXO risk can be reduced and managed to ALARP before intrusive works commence.
Assessing potential UXO risk at an early stage therefore supports safe and proportionate project planning. The purpose is not to recommend unnecessary mitigation, but to provide defensible, evidence-led decision-making and ensure that any identified UXO risk is managed appropriately.
Why partner with 1st Line Defence?
Choosing the right UXO partner is about more than receiving a technical report. It requires confidence that the recommendations are based on robust historical research, professional judgement and a thorough understanding of construction risk.
At 1st Line Defence, we combine one of the UK’s largest dedicated UXO research departments with extensive experience supporting residential, commercial, infrastructure, utilities and renewable energy projects nationwide.
Every assessment is undertaken by experienced specialists who understand how historical evidence translates into practical construction advice.
Why clients choose 1st Line Defence:
- One of the UK’s largest dedicated UXO research teams.
- Bespoke, human-led research rather than automated mapping.
- Construction-focused recommendations aligned with project objectives.
- Research-led, proportionate risk mitigation in accordance with CIRIA C681.
- End-to-end support, from risk assessment through to survey, investigation and EOD services.
- Trusted by leading developers, contractors and consultants across the UK.
- Clear, practical recommendations that balance safety, programme and commercial considerations.
- Zero incidents have occurred on sites where our risk mitigation recommendations were followed.
Looking for more information about Preliminary UXO Risk Assessments & Detailed UXO Risk Assessments?
Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment
Detailed UXO Risk Assessment
UXO City Guides
The risk of encountering UXO as a result of WWII is not limited solely to London. Through a series of UXO City Guides, we explore the potential of UXO contamination at different locations across the UK.
“1st Line Defence have now undertaken a number of pre-acquisition desk top studies for us. They have proven to be informative and instructive as to site conditions and the likely risks associated. We have also employed them on site to undertake site investigation of piling locations. They undertook these works efficiently, on programme and competitively. On their site performance to date, 1st Line Defence will continue to be our choice for UXO reports and site works.“
Technical Executive, Crest Nicholson London
Explore our Case Studies
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Case Study – Loch Rannoch, Scotland
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse the most commonly asked UXO Risk Assessment questions or contact us if you have a specific enquiry
The cost varies depending on the site size but it will usually be £150 for a Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment. Contact us for a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment quotation so that we can gather more information about the site being investigated. Please note that the cost of the Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment will be deducted from the cost of the Detailed UXO Risk Assessment should one lead to the other.
Yes. It was quite common for the trajectory of unexploded bombs (UXBs) in the ground to veer off to one side – so that the final position of the bomb is at a lateral offset from point of entry – possibly beneath an adjacent structure. This is known as a ‘J-curve’ effect. A UXB may also have fallen unnoticed on an area which was subsequently developed post-war – meaning that buildings could potentially have been constructed on top of a UXB.
It cannot be ruled out completely as your site could still have been bombed from opportunistic ‘tip and run’ raids that were common during WWII. Bombing overspill from raids on other major targets nearby may have also affected your site, and we would always recommend to get a UXO Risk Assessment first.
A Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment provides a quick overview of a general area to establish whether there is an increased probability of UXO being present, for example due to WWII bombing or previous military use – and determines whether there is any need for further research or action.
A Detailed UXO Risk Assessment involves considerably more research and the interrogation of numerous datasets – which includes data that is not available in the public domain – to establish whether your specific project is at a higher risk of potentially encountering UXO. If any potential risk or need for further research is identified during the Preliminary stage, a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment will fully examine the history of a site to determine the type of UXO (if any) that may be present, the likelihood that you will encounter it and if necessary – what on-site risk mitigation measures are recommended to minimise the risk.
There is no UK law that requires the construction industry to undertake a UXO Risk Assessment before starting ground works. However, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 require consideration of foreseeable risks – and UXO is a potential risk. The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) have produced a guidance report which is called – CIRIA C681: Unexploded ordnance (UXO) A guide for the construction industry. The report highlights best practices for the management of risks associated with UXO and covers what to expect from a UXO Specialist.
You may be putting people at risk. Although UXO risk in the UK is generally considered ‘low probability’, it is ‘high consequence’. Health and safety legislation requires you to consider foreseeable risks such as this. Even the unexpected discovery of an item of UXO can incur expensive downtime, delays and cost overruns. Being aware of the potential risk of UXO on your site is essential. You do not have to conduct a comprehensive UXO Survey for every site, but the risk of UXO should be considered and a Preliminary or Detailed UXO Risk Assessment undertaken.
1st Line Defence provide two types of UXO Risk Assessment – Preliminary and Detailed. A Preliminary Assessment will inform a client of whether more detailed research needs to be undertaken, or whether nothing obvious is going on and therefore ‘no further action’ is required. A Detailed UXO Risk Assessment will provide an overall risk level from UXO on site once comprehensive research has been undertaken, and will make full recommendations for any follow-up on-site UXO support / survey work based on the nature of the risk and the client’s scope of works.
1st Line Defence uses a qualitative risk classification model with five defined levels, and each level carries a specific operational definition:
- Negligible
- Low
- Low-Medium
- Medium-High
- High
A ‘Negligible’ classification indicates positive evidence that UXO is not present – for example through prior clearance or physical constraints. A ‘Medium’ classification – the most common outcome, applying to 48% of Detailed UXO Risk Assessments completed in 2025 – indicates positive evidence that explosive ordnance was deployed in the area and that unexploded munitions may remain in-situ. A ‘High’ classification indicates positive evidence that UXO is present, and risk mitigation is recommended.
Risk levels are determined by a graduate researcher through primary archival research and independently reviewed by a Quality Assurance (QA) team before issue.
The majority of UXO encountered in the UK is not actually of German origin. During WWII, over 4,000,000 hectares of UK land were in use with British and Allied armed forces. The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) estimates that approximately 20% of the UK's land mass has seen some form of military activity at some stage. As of 2017, the MOD’s training estate covered around 364,000 hectares. For these reasons, the only way to be sure of identifying all UXO risks on your site is to carry out a UXO Risk Assessment.
A UXO Risk Assessment is a desktop-based study that evaluates the likelihood and nature of UXO risk on your site using historical research and archival data. A UXO Survey is a physical, on-site investigation – typically using magnetometer sensors and equipment – to detect the presence of buried ferrous objects that may be items of UXO. A UXO Risk Assessment informs whether a UXO Survey is required. In most cases, a Preliminary or Detailed UXO Risk Assessment is the appropriate first step, with a UXO Survey commissioned only where the assessment identifies a risk level requiring physical investigation.
If a Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment has identified a potential UXO risk on your site, we would recommend that a Detailed UXO Risk Assessment is commissioned – which is an in-depth desktop study which fully investigates the risk of UXO being present. If the Detailed UXO Risk Assessment has identified a threat from UXO and it has been classified as medium or high, we would recommend a risk mitigation plan is created and implemented to reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
There is no law which specifically requires a UXO Risk Assessment to be completed. However, every employer is obliged to make an assessment of the health and safety risks arising from carrying out their work. To check if there is a risk of UXO on your site, you should assess it first before proceeding with any intrusive ground works. Some local planning authorities will specify that a UXO Risk Assessment is carried out as a minimum precaution. A Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment can be undertaken by any construction professional, providing they are competent and have access to the relevant information. However, most companies choose to commission this from UXO Specialists such as 1st Line Defence.
Rarely. Most of our research is desk-based using datasets we store in our offices or access at public record offices. However, we do visit sites if it can assist the process and better inform us of factors such as post-war development – especially for larger developments that may have different risk levels in different parts of the site.
To place an order for a UXO Risk Assessment (Preliminary or Detailed) you can either contact us on +44 (0) 1992 245020 or info@1stlinedefence.co.uk or you can fill out our contact form and a member of the team will get in touch as soon as possible to discuss your request. We will need to know the site location (including a map/plan clearly showing the boundary of the study area), the scope or proposed works, and any geotechnical information/borehole logs that you have of the site.
Our Preliminary UXO Risk Assessments are desk based and can usually be completed within 24 or 48 hours. Preliminary UXO desk study reports offer a fast and cost-effective way to establish whether further research is required – or whether the risk can be negated at an early stage. Production time for our Detailed UXO Risk Assessments is around 5 to 7 working days (once research has started) and on average take between 5 and 10 or more days to complete – depending on the size and complexity of the site. If a quicker turnaround is required, mention this when ordering – even if we cannot produce the full report, we can usually make an initial assessment of risk and provide interim risk mitigation measures.
The key pieces of information include:
- The type of assessment required (Preliminary or Detailed)
- Site address / location (and postcode)
- A map / plan clearly showing the boundary of the area of interest (a ‘red line’ boundary’)
- The scope of proposed intrusive works (boreholes, trial pits, piling, strip foundations etc.)
- Site specific geotechnical information / borehole logs (if available)
The type of information we use can depend on factors such as where the site is located – but for a Detailed Risk Assessment, as a minimum we would use the following where available:
- Previous military use, location history and land use.
- Reports and records of air-delivered bombs (WWI & WWII).
- Frequency of access, damage, ground cover.
- Consideration of any mitigating factors.
- Extent and nature of proposed intrusive works.
- Local and national archives.
- Historical and bomb census and damage mapping.
- High-resolution WWII-era aerial photography.
- Written ARP bomb incident reports.
- Luftwaffe target information.
Unfortunately not. They are often incomplete and should be used in conjunction with other records wherever possible. For example combining information from WWII-era aerial photography, bomb census mapping and written bomb incident records would give a more accurate indication of where a bomb fell than one of these sources alone. It is imperative that historical research for UXO Risk Assessments is thorough and that all available resources are utilised.
Some construction companies still forget to consider or simply do not recognise the potential risk of UXO being present on their site. There are many recent examples of unexploded bombs (UXBs) being found on construction sites where no UXO Risk Assessment or mitigation work was undertaken – but where the accidental detonation of the item would have been catastrophic. The more responsible companies will assess / investigate UXO risk on their site as standard practice.
A professional UXO Risk Assessment draws upon multiple historical and technical data sources to establish the likelihood of UXO contamination being present.
These typically include:
- UK and Allied wartime bombing records.
- German Luftwaffe bombing archives where available.
- Air raid incident logs and Bomb Census data.
- Historic Ordnance Survey mapping.
- Aerial reconnaissance photography.
- Military training ground records.
- Anti-aircraft battery locations.
- Home Guard and defence infrastructure mapping.
- Post-war bomb disposal records.
- Previous site investigation and geotechnical data.
The data is reviewed against the development boundary to determine whether the site was subject to bombing, was near strategic targets or lies within an area of previously recorded UXO clearance activity.
The reliability of the UXO risk assessment depends on the depth of archive interrogation, methodology and professional interpretation of historical context – not simply whether bombing occurred nearby.
UXO risk is classified by assessing two primary components:
- Probability of UXO presence.
- Potential consequences if encountered.
A 'High' risk rating typically reflects:
- Confirmed bombing incidents within or immediately adjacent to the site.
- Recorded unexploded bombs that were not recovered.
- Proximity to strategic wartime infrastructure.
- Evidence of post-war clearance gaps.
- Ground conditions capable of preserving buried ordnance.
Risk classification is not based solely on proximity to bombing. It requires structured assessment of historical density, strike pattern behaviour, penetration depth modelling and previous clearance/disturbance history.
A high-risk rating does not necessarily mean UXO is present — it indicates that mitigation measures should be considered to reduce residual risk to ALARP status.
A desk-based UXO Risk Assessment determines whether further mitigation is necessary.
Intrusive mitigation (such as UXO Surveys, UXO Watching Briefs or targeted UXO Clearance) may be recommended when:
- The site is assessed as Medium, Medium-High or High risk.
- Deep piling or boreholes are proposed.
- Groundworks extend below historic made ground.
- There is limited evidence of post-war clearance.
- The development is high-value or critical infrastructure.
The mitigation strategy should be proportionate to the level of UXO risk and the scale of intrusive works. Over-mitigation increases cost without improving safety; under-mitigation increases programme and safety exposure.
The objective is proportional, evidence-led risk reduction aligned with construction methodology.
Our UXO consultancy and survey services are supported by £5m Professional Indemnity Insurance, providing additional reassurance to clients relying on our research, technical advice and project-specific recommendations.
It is important not to get complacent about the risk of UXO in construction sites across UK. Some cities, especially large cities like London, Liverpool and Birmingham, and coastal cities like Southampton were heavily targeted by the German Luftwaffe during WWII – and are prone to have more UXO risk due to more bombs being deployed.
Some of the most densely bombed cities in the UK are listed below:
- UXO risk in Belfast
- UXO risk in Bath
- UXO risk in Birmingham
- UXO risk in Brighton
- UXO risk in Bristol
- UXO risk in Canterbury
- UXO risk in Cardiff
- UXO risk in Chelmsford
- UXO risk in Clydebank
- UXO risk in Coventry
- UXO risk in Dover
- UXO risk in Edinburgh
- UXO risk in Exeter
- UXO risk in Great Yarmouth
- UXO risk in Hull
- UXO risk in Liverpool
- UXO risk in London
- UXO risk in Manchester
- UXO risk in Newcastle
- UXO risk in Norwich
- UXO risk in Nottingham
- UXO risk in Plymouth
- UXO risk in Portsmouth
- UXO risk in Sheffield
- UXO risk in Southampton
- UXO risk in Swansea
- UXO risk in York
Additionally, more and more construction projects are being developed on ex-military land which can also carry a significant risk of UXO contamination. Read more about construction industry guidance with the CIRIA C681 guide about UXO risk.
Ready to commission a UXO Risk Assessment?
With 13,850+ assessments completed and a 24-48 hour turnaround on Preliminary desk study reports, our research team is ready to advise.
Call us for a same-day preliminary risk indication, or submit your site information using the details below or by completing a contact form.
