Update: Wednesday 14 January, 11.00pm

Royal Navy bomb disposal experts and Police have confirmed that, due to limited daylight and the need for additional equipment, they will not be able to make the device safe this evening. The operation will therefore pause overnight and resume tomorrow morning (Thursday 15 January) as their assessment of the device continues.  

Key points for tonight (Wednesday 14 January): 

Police have confirmed that residents of the evacuated properties along Millbay Road can return home this evening. However, tomorrow they may need to leave again while work to make the device safe takes place. 

The Evacuation Assembly Point at Plymouth Cathedral will be closing today at 11.30pm. Anyone requiring support overnight, can call: 01752 668000. 

Key points for tomorrow (Thursday 15 January): 

There may be an additional evacuation of a small number of properties tomorrow. At this stage, we do not know which properties will be affected or the exact timing. We will share further details as soon as they are confirmed. However, we anticipate that this will be for a short period.  An Evacuation Assembly Point will be set up at Christ the King Church Hall (on Armada Way). It will be open during the evacuation to provide help and support. 

Millbay Academy will be closed. The school will be liaising with parents and student contacts.  

Ballard House will also be closed, for those who have meetings or appointments in the building.  

Moxy Hotel will remain closed until the operation to make the device safe has concluded.  

Further updates will be provided in the morning. 

Update: Wednesday 14 January, 7.30pm

This continues to be a major incident.

A 100m firm cordon remains in place around the construction site. However, in addition the Police have introduced a 400m ‘line of sight’ cordon. This means that a small number of residential properties along Millbay Road, that are considered to be in direct line of sight of the device have been advised to evacuate.

Although evacuation is not mandatory, residents in the affected properties are strongly advised to leave their homes for their own safety.

Those residents are encouraged to make arrangements to stay with friends or family overnight while the device is made safe.

For those who need support, particularly if they don’t have anywhere to stay, the Council has opened an Evacuation Assembly Point at:  Plymouth Cathedral

Please note – if the Police have not requested that you evacuate your home – you do not need to.

The Cathedral will provide help and information for anyone without alternative accommodation, along with light refreshments.

Further updates will follow shortly.

Update: Wednesday 14 January, 6pm

Specialist teams are continuing to assess the small device discovered at the Bath Street/Martin Street construction site in Millbay, to determine the safest way to make it safe.

As a precaution, an initial cordon has been established by the Police. The Moxy Hotel, which adjoins the site, has been evacuated.

If you are a guest at the Moxy Hotel, please contact the hotel directly for assistance.

Vehicles parked within the cordon area, including those in the Brunel Car Park, cannot be accessed or removed until the cordon is lifted.

For parents of children attending Millbay Academy – we are keeping the school updated and will share further information as soon as it becomes available. The school will communicate directly with parents if there are any changes affecting tomorrow.

Please monitor the Council’s website and social media channels for updates. We will provide another update within the next few hours as more details become available.

Update: Wednesday 14 January, 3.30pm

A temporary 100m cordon has been put in place around a building site in Martin Street, Millbay, following the discovery of suspected unexploded ordnance.

Royal Navy bomb disposal experts are currently assessing the situation and a number of roads will remain closed while this takes place.

Police are talking to the occupiers of affected properties and drivers are being asked to avoid Millbay until further notice.

We are liaising with Devon and Cornwall police over the incident and will provide further updates when we have them.

To support residents who may have difficulty parking due to the road closures (Zone N) our parking enforcement team has temporarily suspended parking enforcement in areas around Millbay where residents may be impacted by the road closures.

While the road closures are in place displaced residents will be able to park in the following zones:

Zone H (Hoe)

Zone A (Stonehouse)

Zone T (Durnford Street)

Western Approach Car Park.