Forest Road and the town hall have now reopened
By Waltham Forest Echo

A police cordon outside Waltham Forest Town Hall

Waltham Forest Town Hall was evacuated today after the discovery of a suspected unexploded bomb from World War II.

Waltham Forest Council confirmed the closure of the town hall and the neighbouring Assembly Hall at around 1.30pm today – and their reopening at around 4.30pm.

The suspected bomb may have been discovered due to construction work taking place around the town hall to build 433 new flats in five blocks.

In a statement after the buildings reopened, a council spokesperson said: “Thank you for your patience, and thanks also to the emergency services for their work this afternoon.”

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The police cordon in Forest Road

During the initial Blitz, which lasted from October 1940 to June 1941, more than 700 bombs were dropped on Waltham Forest.

On 16th August 1944, a V1 “flying bomb” hit the corner of Hoe Street and Church Hill, killing 22 people, injuring 144 and destroying dozens of buildings.

The evacuation of the town hall postponed the scheduled meeting of council leaders, who planned to discuss the new lido proposed in Walthamstow’s Low Hall Sports Ground.

The Grade II-listed town hall building, which first opened in 1941, underwent a £25million refurbishment last year.

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