A number of residences, businesses and schools have been evacuated after the bomb was discovered by builders yesterday morning.
Police officers and colleagues from the London Fire Brigade were called to The Avenue shortly after 11.30am yesterday morning after the device was discovered at a building site.
Nearby residences, businesses, schools and buildings have since been evacuated as a precaution.
Specialist officers from the Army are currently on the scene and assessing the device.
A Brent Council spokeswoman said: “Evacuations from the enlarged 300 metre cordon around the unexploded WWII have started and are ongoing. Residents affected are being looked after at the council rest centre at St Martin’s Church on Mortimer Road. It is still too early to confirm when the army’s operation will finish but they are working extremely hard and we will provide the latest updates when we get them.”
The following roads will be encompassed within the cordon that will be extended this morning:
St. Hilda’s Close
Manor House Drive South
Christchurch Avenue between St Hilda’s Close and Mowbray Road
The Avenue between Tiverton Green and Mowbray Road
Brondesbury Park between Coverdale Road and Chevening Road
Wilesden Lane between Coverdale Road and Winchester Avenue
Mowbray Road between Chevening Road and Willesden Lane
Winchester Avenue between Chevening Road and Willesden Lane
Dyne Road between Willesden Lane and Torbay Road
Cavendish Road between The Avenue and Mowbray Road
Mapesbury Road between Willesden Lane and Mowbury Road
The council also confirmed this morning that the following schools will be closed all day today:
Brondesbury College For Boys
Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra
Christ Church CofE Primary School
Islamia Primary School
Malorees Infant School
Malorees Junior School
North West London Jewish Day School
Marylebone Boys’ School
Salusbury Primary School
Islamia Girls’ Secondary School
A reception area in Mortimer Road has been opened by the London Borough of Brent to assist those residents affected. They will be laying on local transport from the area.
Borough Superintendent Nigel Quantrell said: “I would like to thank the community for their continued support as we and our partners deal with this incident.
“I can assure you that we are working very hard resolve the situation. The public’s understanding and cooperation is deeply appreciated.”
If you want to check on an affected resident who lives in the area call the local authority helpline which is 020 8937 5788.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here