Aston Expressway expected to be closed most of Tuesday after unexploded bomb found
Aston Expressway is expected to be closed for most of Tuesday sparking chaos for commuters after a Second World War bomb was found.
Hundreds of homes and businesses were evacuated and the M6 and surrounding roads have been blocked for several hours after the discovery in Aston.
Now police say it is likely the disruption , which has hit motorists in the Black Country, will last into tomorrow as bomb disposal teams work to make the bomb site safe.
Construction staff working at a site off Priory Road came across the shell during routine work at around 9.45am today .
It was quickly identified as a German shell weighing up to 500lbs.
A 1,600ft cordon was put in place on the advice of explosives experts which has enforced the closure of the A38 both into and out of the city.
The delays have hit the M6 with long queues forming both north and southbound including past the link for the M5 at junction 8 and towards Wednesbury and Wolverhampton.
Some businesses and houses lying within the exclusion zone have been evacuated as a precaution and rail services have been affected.
Birmingham Police, Commander Chris Johnson, said: “An initial assessment from Army bomb disposal suggests this is a large explosive device − that’s why an extensive cordon has been put in place for public safety.
“There is the possibility we may have to extend the cordon on advice from experts…we don’t take decisions like this lightly but public safety has to be our number one priority.
“Hundreds of homes have been evacuated and we are working with our partners to provide emergency accommodation.
“There have been some difficulties in accessing the device given the terrain and its position within a construction site − but all agencies involved are working as quickly as possible to bring the situation to a safe conclusion with brave military staff risking their safety to ensure that of the public.
“I recognise the impact on people’s lives that incidents like this cause, and I would like to thank the public for their understanding and support at this time."
Meanwhile there were further problems on the motorways after three lanes were closed on the M6 for a car fire.
The fire happened between junction 8 for the M5 link near Great Barr and junction 9 at Wednesbury.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: "The incident involves one private motor vehicle well alight on the hard shoulder.
"We received at call just before 5pm. There is a closure in place on lanes 1, 2 and 3.
"We don't believe that there are any injuries."
Two crews from West Bromwich and Perry Barr were at the scene.
Highways England tweeted a picture of plumes of smoke coming from the vehicle, while a fire engine is positioned across the lanes.
Congestion has built up back to junction 7 at Great Barr.
