A giant sinkhole has opened up on one of central Manchester’s busiest roads after torrential rain hit the city.
The 40ft crater on Mancunian Way opened up at lunchtime on Friday between the junctions with the A6 London Road and Fairfield Street, halting traffic in both directions. It is feared that the road – one of the city’s main arteries – could be shut for weeks.
The hole is believed to have been caused by either a collapsed sewer or water pipe. Manchester city council and United Utilities engineers were assessing the damage on Friday afternoon amid reports that the hole appeared to be getting bigger.
Workmen from the council are here working out what to do pic.twitter.com/Dskp41Owz3
— Alex Hibbert-MEN (@alexghibbert) August 14, 2015
The area has been cordoned off with cones, red and white barrier tape and a warning sign. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and diversions have been put in place.
The rain continues in Manchester as the sink hole continues to be sunk pic.twitter.com/kWqaBKEXym
— Alex Hibbert-MEN (@alexghibbert) August 14, 2015
A workman at the scene told the Manchester Evening News that the hole appeared just after midday, and the road was immediately closed. He said the rain could have caused the collapse.
“There are concerns it could spread to the other side and I see both directions being closed for weeks while repair work takes place,” he said.
