The unexploded German WWII bomb weighs 250kg. Pic: West Midlands Ambulance Service
Army disposal experts are working to deactivate an unexploded World War Two bomb discovered on a construction site in Birmingham.
Police say a "major, delicate" operation is under way to create a massive sand blast barrier around the device before it is defused.
The A38 Aston Expressway is closed in both directions and is expected to be for most of the day as 250 tonnes of sand is brought to the site and the German shell, which weighs up to 250kg (551lbs), is removed.
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Commuters faced travel disruption during Tuesday's morning rush hour as major road and rail links were shut down at the urging of bomb disposal experts.
The A5127 Lichfield Road between Grosvenor Road and Cuckoo Road and all entry and exit slip roads at Junction 6 of the M6 have been closed.
Highways England has "strongly urged" road users to consider alternative routes, and to allow additional time for their journeys.
London Midland said all rail services between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield, Staffordshire, have been cancelled.
Hundreds of homes and businesses within a 500-metre area have been evacuated, and West Midlands Police said the cordon may have to be widened.
The Red Cross said around 80 people were cared for overnight by volunteers at a rest centre.
The shell was discovered by construction workers at a site off Priory Road in Aston on Monday morning.
A digger is transported to the construction site. Pic: Central Motorway Police Group
Birmingham Police Commander Chris Johnson, said: "An initial assessment from Army bomb disposal suggests this is a large explosive device − that's why an extensive cordon has been put in place for public safety.
"There is the possibility we may have to extend the cordon on advice from experts… we don't take decisions like this lightly but public safety has to be our number one priority.
"Hundreds of homes have been evacuated and we are working with our partners to provide emergency accommodation.
"There have been some difficulties in accessing the device given the terrain and its position within a construction site - but all agencies involved are working as quickly as possible to bring the situation to a safe conclusion with brave military staff risking their safety to ensure that of the public.
"I recognise the impact on people's lives that incidents like this cause, and I would like to thank the public for their understanding and support at this time."
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