Bridgend unexploded bomb - live updates as supermarkets evacuated

Police are have closed roads in Wales as residents facing fresh alarm at the discovery of a third unexploded wartime bomb inside four months. Nearby supermarkets, a building site, as well as restaurants and offices have all been evacuated as a result and members of the public have been advised to avoid the area. It is the third time that such an incident has brought chaos after two unexploded ordnance devices were found in one day back in July. The discovery of the bomb, found by the railway in the town located 20 miles west of Cardiff, has brought transport and travel problems. Transport for Wales and Great Western Rail have confirmed that all rail services between Cardiff Central and Swansea are disrupted, while road in the area are at a standstill. Large parts of the town centre now restricted and emergency protocols in place. Police urged the public to stay away after the alert was sounded earlier this afternoon. A statement from South Wales Police this afternoon read: "We were called just before 1.10pm this afternoon with a report of an unexploded ordnance device having been found in Cheapside, Bridgend. "As a precaution Tremains Road and Cheapside have been closed and we are advising the public to avoid Brackla Street from Castle Bingo down to Wilko's as well as Plumb Centre, Papa Johns, and the Honda dealership. We have also evacuated the following premises: Aldi; Asda; Brackla House; and the building site on Cheapside, again as a precaution." Chris Elmore, MP for Bridgend and Porthcawl, has acknowledged the ongoing incident in the town centre this afternoon. He said: "Police have temporarily closed Tremains Road and Cheapside in Bridgend town centre. They are advising to avoid Brackla Street from Castle Bingo into the town centre. Expect delays." A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesperson told WalesOnline: "South Wales Police are keeping us informed in relation to the discovery of an unexploded ordnance device in the Cheapside area of Bridgend town centre this afternoon. "We would like to reiterate South Wales Police's advice for residents to avoid the area and to keep up to date by monitoring their social media channels." GWR posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Due to a wartime bomb near the railway between Cardiff Central and Swansea all lines are blocked. Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 17:00." Transport for Wales wrote: "We have limited road transport at Cardiff running between Cardiff and Bridgend provided by Acorn and Teulu, to assist customers to complete journeys where possible at no extra cost. These will be arriving at 15:30." Back in the summer, Brackla Street shopping was evacuated following the discovery of another unexploded ordnance device - just hours after an earlier incident in the same area.