The World War Two bomb in Plymouth is being disposed of today with people warned that homes on the route of the convoy disposing it will have to be temporarily evacuated.

A new temporary cordon of 300 metres will be put in place today (Friday, February 23) as the removal of the unexploded wartime bomb in Keyham takes place.

Over the past few days, bomb disposal experts from the Army and Navy have been assessing the device to determine with partners the best possible approach for its disposal.

The team say It is a very complex situation, and a number of factors need to be considered by the members of the resilience forum, alongside the overriding objective of people’s safety, including damage to property and impact on underground utilities.

Following more information about the device and after considering all options, including a controlled detonation on site, partners have agreed that the safest and least impactful option is to remove the device from St Michael Avenue and travel to the Torpoint Ferry slipway – for the bomb to be disposed of at sea (beyond the Breakwater).

Falmouth Packet: People living along the route of the disposal convoy will have to evacuate their homesPeople living along the route of the disposal convoy will have to evacuate their homes (Image: SWNS)

Highly trained bomb disposal experts will carefully remove the device from the property and it will be transported by road in a military convoy, west along Parkside and Royal Navy Avenue, joining at the junction on Saltash Road to continue south joining Albert Road, turning right along Park Avenue and heading down Ferry Road to the Torpoint Ferry terminal.

However, in order for this to happen, they say they need support from residents in the area along the route.

Anyone who lives within 300 metres of the route will need to leave their homes TODAY for about three hours.

They will need to leave  their homes  by 2pm and they anticipate they will be able to return by 5pm. Anyone needing help or support to do this, should call 01752 668000.

The rest centre at the Life Centre remains open to support people who do not have anywhere to go.

In addition, the main trainline will be closed, ferries (including the Torpoint Ferry will be suspended and buses will be diverted.

Once the operation is complete, the police will begin to reopen the roads.

"Everyone must avoid the area during this period," said a spokesperson.

"We are very grateful for the patience of residents at this difficult time and all agencies are doing everything they can to minimise any ongoing disruption.

"We will aim to keep residents informed throughout the operation. The council will announce when roads are being reopened on: www.plymouth.gov.uk and on social media. "