Mancunian Way collapse: Huge hole appears after heavy rain

A 40ft-deep hole in the road has opened up on Manchester’s Mancunian Way, shutting a major route around the city centre.

The road had been closed off earlier in the day due to flooding.

Mass diversions were put in place because of the heavy rain and the road was closed in both directions after the crater, measuring 15ft long, appeared.

The hole is believed to have been caused by either a collapsed sewer or water pipe.

The carriageway collapsed on a stretch between the junctions with the A6 London Road and Fairfield Street.

Council and United Utilities officers are now assessing the scene.

The hole, on Mancunian Way, has caused the road to be closed in both directions. An observation station in Rochdale logged 30.8 mm (1.2 inches) of rain in six hours – the average rainfall for all of August in Greater Manchester is usually 80 mm (3.1 inches), the Met Office said.

The road may remain closed for several days, a council spokesman said.

A journalist from Manchester Evening News estimates that the hole is about 40ft wide, and says that further cracks are forming.

Football fans heading to Manchester City’s game game against Chelsea on Sunday are being warned to check on the latest situation before they travel.