Bradford bomb: Train chaos as WW2 explosive found by railway line
Emergency services closed nearby roads and cancelled trains after a World War Two bomb was discovered.
A suspected wartime bomb has been found near to a railway line in West Yorkshire
— Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire News (@GHR_WestYorks) February 27, 2024
Emergency services have been called to Apperley Bridge in Bradford, with roads around it closed off
Trains from Leeds to Bradford and Leeds to Skipton have been cancelled pic.twitter.com/xzcA8Jy5ZH
A World War Two bomb has been found near a railway line in West Yorkshire, prompting cancellations and travel chaos.
The bomb was found on the railway line between Leeds and Shipley after emergency services were called around 9:30am.
Roads are also closed in the area while emergency services attend the scene and people are urged to find other travel routes.
THIS LIVE BLOG HAS NOW CLOSED
Train lines reopen
National Rail has announced that train lines have reopened, but there still may be cancellations and delays while the service recovers.
Disruption is set to continue until 2:45pm this afternoon.
\u2139\ufe0f #Shipley - Lines have now reopened following a wartime bomb near the railway being discovered. Trains are now able to run safely between Leeds and Shipley / Ilkley / Bradford Forster Square but may still be cancelled, delayed or revised whist service recovers.
\u2014 National Rail (@nationalrailenq) February 27, 2024
Disruption is\u2026
Cordon will be removed 'shortly'
A British Transport Police spokesperson said that the cordon will be "removed shortly", according to the BBC.
This comes as road closures have been in place on the A658 Harrogate Road at Apperley Bridge since this morning.
Police confirm the bomb does 'not pose a threat'
The bomb, which is a solid metal shell, "poses no threat to the public", according to a British Transport Police spokesperson.
The bomb was found during excavation work
In a statement, the British Transport Police said its officers were "called to Apperley Bridge Railway Station just before 9:30am to reports of an unexploded ordinance found near the station during excavation work".
SUSPECTED BOMB FOUND STOPS TRAINS BETWEEN LEEDS AND BRADFORD
— YappApp (@YappAppLtd) February 27, 2024
A security cordon has been put in place on the #A658 Harrogate Rd at Apperley Bridge after what is believed to be historic ordnance was found by construction workers at the nearby Apperley Bridge railway station.
The\u2026 pic.twitter.com/vTSeW3ZA4i
Passengers shocked at rail cancellations
A passenger has taken to social media to share a snap of the long list of cancellations due to the WW2 bomb and urged people to "stay safe".
It's not every day that your planned trip out is gazumped by the discovery of a wartime bomb on the railway in Bradford. Stay safe everyone. pic.twitter.com/DJdjVJ5mwD
\u2014 The Game Caller \ud83d\udde3\ud83c\udf99\ud83d\udcfb (@TheGameCaller) February 27, 2024
Bradford Council statement in full
The council took to X, formerly Twitter, to warn residents about the ongoing incident.
It said: "Due to a wartime bomb being found near to the railway line, there are road closures in place on the A658 Harrogate Rd at Apperley Bridge.
"There is also disruption to rail services between Shipley and Leeds."
What train services are affected?
Services between Leeds and Shipley are currently being affected, train operator Northern reported on its website.
It added that the disruption is likely to continue until at least 12:45pm this afternoon.
Passengers planning to travel to Bradford have been advised to travel to Bradford Interchange instead of Bradford Forster Square.
The incident has also affected services running north-west of Leeds and Bradford, towards Skipton, Carlisle and Morecambe.
Road closures remain in place
Police have closed off roads in the are and urged motorists to find alternative routes.
Road closures are in place on the A658 Harrogate Road at Apperley Bridge, #Bradford and motorists are advised to find an alternative route. pic.twitter.com/bmlQCcYZ5z
\u2014 West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) February 27, 2024
Good afternoon
Hello from London and welcome to our live coverage of the latest about the wartime bomb found in Bradford.
Do you have any information about this breaking news story or been affected by the cancellations?
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