Huge hole in Manchester road as ice leads to pipe burst

A huge hole appeared in a road in north Manchester after a water main collapsed during the icy weather.

The huge chasm, measuring about 60ft x 30ft (18m x 9.1m), appeared at the junction of Hazelbottom Road and Smedley Lane, Crumpsall, on Friday.

About 3,000 homes were left without water after the burst, although all supplies were restored by midnight.

United Utilities engineers are working to repair the pipe and road, but warned it could take more than a week.

"We apologise for any inconvenience and would like to reassure people we are working as quickly as possible to repair the damage," said a spokesman.

Motorists were greeted by the sight of the huge hole when the road collapsed at about 1630 GMT.

The area is now fenced off and diversions are in place while the work continues.

Incidents of broken water mains tend to increase in winter because of frost and icy conditions causing ground movement, the spokesman added.