AN explosive-laden shipwreck could sink plans for a new airport in the Thames estuary.
A new report says leaving the SS Richard Montgomery, lying off the Southend shoreline is not a long-term option.
The ship is becoming an increasing danger and its deteriation could put a spanner in the works of plans from Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, for an airport in the Thames estuary.
The ship sank in August 1944, with 1,400 tons of explosives on board.
The wreck is off the coast of Sheerness, but near to the beaches of Shoebury and Thorpe Bay.
The latest report by the Marine and Coastguard Agency, just handed to the Department for Transport, says the hull “is slowly deteriorating and eventual collapse is inevitable”.
The report also says “results from both 2008 and 2009 have shown greater levels of deterioration than have been seen in previous surveys”.
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