Falmouth evacuated update amid bomb disposal operation
Residents urged to evacuate by 9am as safety measures are enforced
Last updated 23rd Sep 2026
The cordon in Falmouth, initially set at 1,400 metres, will now be reduced to 755 meters, following expert advice from army disposal specialists.
This change is set to take place on Wednesday, 23rd September, affecting nearly 339 households.
Residents inside the cordon are urged to evacuate their properties by 9am to ensure the safe disposal of an unexploded wartime bomb located near Falmouth Docks.
Cllr Thalia Marrington, Portfolio holder for Community Safety & Public Health, said, "While we are of course pleased that the cordon has been reduced in size following a new assessment by army disposal experts, we still need people living within the cordon to follow the police guidance and evacuate the area on Wednesday morning."
"Our priority as always is resident safety, and I’d like to thank the emergency services and other partner agencies for putting plans together at such short notice in difficult circumstances," Marrington added.
Superintendent Ian Thompson, the policing commander for West Cornwall, said, "Based on the latest expert analysis by military specialists, we are now looking at the cordon parameters being reduced to approximately 755 metres."
"This area incorporates an estimated 339 households which will be evacuated tomorrow morning (Wednesday 23 September). If you live within the cordon area, you are strongly urged to leave your home by 9am tomorrow," Thompson continued.
He emphasised, "Our priority is public safety and protecting lives and it is important to note that our military colleagues will not be able to safely remove this device until they are reassured that the area has been evacuated."
GWR announced that train services between Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks will be suspended from 8:45am on 23rd September due to the discovery of the unexploded ordnance.
During this operation, no replacement bus services can operate between the two Falmouth stations because the incident also affects local bus routes.
GWR suggests customers check their travel plans in advance.
Train services will resume as soon as the device is safely removed and the cordon lifted.