POLICE have evacuated a number of homes have been evacuated due to a security alert in Derry.
It follows reports of a suspicious object at Southway this afternoon.
Officers are currently at the scene.
A number of residents at Lone Moor Road have been moved out as a precaution.
Army Technical Officers are now at the scene examining the suspicious object.
As a result, there has been some disruption to motorists in the area.
Southway is closed between Lone Moor Road and Circular Road.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Due to an ongoing security alert in the Southway area of Derry, a number of cordons are in place and traffic movement will be affected.
“The alert began after police received a report earlier this afternoon of a suspicious object.
“A number of residents have been moved from homes overlooking Southway.
“A respite centre has been opened at Long Tower Youth Club for those displaced.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Patricia Logue said families and businesses had been evacuated as a result of the alert.
“The people who create these alerts have nothing to offer the community and should desist immediately from their campaign of disruption,” said Cllr Logue.