Huge sinkhole suddenly opens up on busy road, bringing traffic to standstill

A huge sinkhole opened up in the middle of a busy road, bringing traffic to a standstill and leaving homeowners fuming.

People were left shocked when the huge hole, measuring roughly six feet deep and ten feet wide, opened up on Monday in Prestwich, Greater Manchester.

A hasty perimeter was set up by police around the chasm on Heywood Road, but the incident sparked anger from locals who complained at the poor quality of the road that their properties sit on.

One complained that it wasn't the first time a sinkhole had opened up on the road, saying: "This has happened quite a few times, further up. Neighbours are sick and fed up with it.

"Even though it’s a residential area, this is like a main road. Cars drive too fast and the council are doing nothing to slow traffic down."

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A spokesperson from Bury Council said the sinkhole had been caused by a collapsed sewer, and water company United Utilities would be investigating.

The spokesperson said the road had been closed and diversions put in place, but the duration of the closure was unknown at the moment.

Cllr Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations at Bury Council, called on the government to provide more funding for road maintenance in the local area.

He said the problem was exacerbated by the fact Prestwich is "built on sand", "so if there is a leak the water can wash the sand away and lead to collapse".

"We have had a few in the area, the last one was at the junction," he added. "We have just had this superstorm and United Utilities are stretched because of global warming.

"We need the government to provide more funding."

A spokesperson from United Utilities said: "A sinkhole has been reported to us on Heywood Road in Prestwich and our engineers will be attending to investigate."

Watch: Elderly Chinese man escapes serious injuries in sudden sinkhole

What causes sinkholes?

Sinkholes happen when water gradually dissolves soluble bedrock, such as limestone or gypsum, leaving a cavity underneath the surface.

The surface itself can stay intact for some time until the cavity gets too big, then the surface suddenly collapses - creating a sinkhole.

Some sinkholes can also appear more gradually as the surface slowly gives way.

Sinkholes can be exacerbated by periods of persistent heavy rain or flooding, as well as sudden drainage of groundwater.

How many sinkholes are there in the UK?

Some reports suggest that there are just over 30,000 natural sinkholes around the country, though nobody has died as a result of a sinkhole.

Some parts of the Britain are more vulnerable than others, as the likelihood of a sinkhole forming depends on how soluble the underlying rock is.

Extreme weather, including torrential rain and flooding conditions, could also see sinkholes become more common.

What are the signs that a sinkhole is about to appear?

Sinkholes often take some time to form as the ground gives way underneath the surface.

Signs that a sinkhole may be on its way to appearing can include:-

• Cracks in houses and buildings

• Cracks in the ground

• Depressions in the ground

• Trees or fence posts tilting or falling over