A giant hole opened up on Mancunian Way - now fears it will close the road for weeks

A giant 40ft deep hole has opened up on the Mancunian Way - with fears the road could be shut for weeks. Traffic was halted in both directions on Friday after the crater - measuring at least 15 feet - appeared at the Ancoats end of the busy commuter route.

The carriageway collapsed on a stretch between the junctions with the A6 London Road and Fairfield Street, as torrential rain battered Manchester city centre.

Manchester council engineers and United Utilities have been called to the scene to assess the damage.

It’s believed that the hole was caused either by a collapsed sewer or a culvert - a pipe which carries water underground.

The 40ft hole on the Mancunian Way appeared after it was earlier closed due to flooding It is not yet known how long the carriageway will be closed for, but motorists have been advised to avoid the area and diversion have been put in place.

A workman at the scene said the hole appeared just after midday and they then closed the road. He said the rain could have caused the collapse.The hole is on the Eastbound carraigeway heading to Ancoats but there are fears it could spread to the other side. The workman said: “There are concerns it could spread to the other side and I see both directions being closed for weeks while repair work takes place.”