Aston Expressway and M6 traffic chaos: Second World War Bomb found prompting evacuation
Motorists suffered traffic chaos as a major Midlands route was closed after a Second World War bomb was found.
The A38(M) Aston Expressway is closed in both directions in and out of Birmingham with the slip roads to the M6 north and southbound also shut.
Nearby businesses and homes have been evacuated in the area. The route may now be closed until tomorrow, say police.
West Midlands Police confirmed a 'World War II device' had been found in Aston near the Expressway, in Priory Road.
The device was discovered on a building site around 9:45am.
Bomb disposal experts arrived on site to assess the device at around 2pm.
The EOD is the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit with the Army. They are specialists in bomb disposal.
A 1,600ft exclusion area was put in place as a precaution.
Drivers were warned to expect long delays on the M6 around junction 6.
Some rail services will be affected as the train lines run parallel to the A38.
It has hit services between Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield.
A message on the National Rail Enquiries website added: "Trains between these stations [Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley] are being delayed by up to 15 minutes or cancelled. Disruption is expected until end of the day."
Tickets were being accepted on National Express West Midlands Buses on routes 4, 4H, 4M, 7, 11A/C, 14, 16, 45, 51, X51, 65, 67, X3, X4, X5, X14. 301, and 302.
They were also being accepted on CrossCountry services between Tamworth / Nuneaton and Birmingham New Street.
Bus services were also hit.
The 51 service between Walsall and Birmingham was diverted over the flyover at the motorway Island at Great Barr towards Walsall due to very heavy traffic.
Motorists were being advised to use the M6 Toll with long delays southbound.
Traffic queued back to junction 8 for the M5 through Great Barr and onto Wednesbury.
All entry and exit slip roads at junction 6 at Spaghetti Junction were shut. This included all roads leading to/from Salford Circus.
The A38(M) Aston Expressway was also closed in both directions between the A4540 at Dartmouth Circus and the M6 junction 6.
There are also a number of local road closures in the area.
Highways England said: "Road users intending on travelling in the area are strongly urged to consider alternative routes if possible and to allow additional time for their journey."
It is believed residents who been evacuated have gathered at Aston-Newton Community Seventh Day Adventist Church, in Lichfield Road.
West Midlands Ambulance Service tweeted a picture showing the 550lb (250kg) bomb which had been discovered.
Police now expect the Aston Expressway to be closed 'until tomorrow' while the unexploded bomb is dealt with.
