Army bomb experts have carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious object whose discovery led to the closure of both decks of Craigavon Bridge in Londonderry.
The suspicious object was spotted by a pedestrian on the lower deck of the bridge close to the John Street side shortly after 1pm on Thursday, police have said.
The object was later declared an "elaborate hoax" and was removed for further examinations.
"It is clear that whoever left it there intended to give the impression it was real", Foyle area commander Acting Chief Inspector Jon Burrows said.
The Craigavon Bridge is one of only two city bridges across the river Foyle.
"There is understandable dismay and anger in the city over the inconvenience caused by this alert and the people who must shoulder the blame for that are those who left this object in place", Ch Insp Burrows said.
"In a city divided by a river, to force the closure of one of the two direct routes between the two sides is callous and reckless in the extreme."
SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey said the bomb scare brought Derry to a standstill.
"This bomb scare has brought Derry to a standstill causing great disruption to the many children trying to make their way home after their first days at school as well as people trying to get to an from work in the city", he said.
"People requiring emergency services, particularly ambulances, have been put at risk and others have been prevented from going about their daily business."
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney said those behind the alert were "wrong and counterproductive."
"All that those who have closed off the main arterial routes through our city centre are responsible for causing disruption and thousands of pounds in lost trade to businesses there.
''These groups should disappear and get off the backs of this community.''
The alert has since ended and the bridge reopened.
© UTV News