Hampshire police share this latest update after a piece of ordnance found in Portsmouth Harbour. Update from Wightlink at the bottom. Ed
Evacuation will begin at midday to allow for the safe disposal of a historic piece of ordnance found in Portsmouth Harbour this morning.
We are supporting the Royal Navy to ensure the safe evacuation of the area as they prepare to tow the device out to sea.
Rest centres set up
Officers will begin the evacuation of both the shopping and residential areas of Gunwharf Quays.
Those evacuated from the Gunwharf Quays area will be directed to the John Pound Centre, in Queen Street, one of two rest centres set up.
The other is at Portsmouth Cathedral.
Ferry disruption
The 300m cordon will also require other areas to be evacuated, including the Wight Link terminal, Old Portsmouth, Portsmouth Harbour station, Gosport ferry station and the Hot Walls areas.
We would like to urge members of the public to avoid these areas.
We understand that this will cause disruption for some time however our priority is the safety of everyone in the area.
We would like to thank everyone for their patience.
Any questions about travel disruption should be directed to the operator and those requiring further information about rest centres should contact the Portsmouth City Council helpdesk on 023 9283 4092.
Update from Wightlink – 12.30pm
Wightlink’s Portsmouth-Fishbourne and Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier Head services are being affected following the discovery of an unexploded device in the north of Portsmouth Harbour near the International Ferryport.
Hampshire Police have closed Portsmouth Harbour.
The 11:47 Wightlink catamaran service from Ryde Pier Head to Portsmouth Harbour is returning to Ryde with its customers.
St Cecilia, the 12:00 car ferry sailing from Portsmouth, sailed to Fishbourne as normal but St Clare, the 12:00 sailing from Fishbourne has not left the Isle of Wight.
Update 14.30
Police say,
“We are pleased to confirm that the historic ordnance has been safely towed from Portsmouth Harbour.
“As a result the cordon placed around Gunwharf and Old Portsmouth has been lifted.”
P-F Car Ferry: We are just about to resume service. We expect delays of around 2 hours, operating on a first come first served shuttle basis
— Wightlink Travel (@WightlinkTravel) November 16, 2016
Update 14.42
The first car ferry will sail from Portsmouth at 15:00 and from Fishbourne at 16:00 (cars only).
The first catamaran will sail from Portsmouth at 15:15 and from Ryde Pier Head at 15:47.
Wightlink staff will do their best to get all customers to their destinations as soon as possible.
Hampshire Police closed Portsmouth Harbour just after 12:00. Because of the closure, the 11:47 Wightlink catamaran service from Ryde Pier Head to Portsmouth Harbour returned to Ryde with its customers.
St Cecilia, Wightlink’s 12:00 car ferry service from Portsmouth sailed to Fishbourne as normal but St Clare, the 12:00 sailing from Fishbourne did not leave the Isle of Wight.
We are sorry that Wightlink customers were inconvenienced by this harbour closure.
