WORKERS will use up to 400 tonnes of rubble to fill the gaping sink hole in Mancunian Way. 

Engineers are reportedly using radar technology to assess Mancunian Way for further damage

The 4.5m wide hole appeared suddenly on the busy Manchester road after two weeks of rainfall fell in just six hours on Friday. 

The road has been closed in both directions ever since, with work expected to take at least another five weeks.

Authorities suspect the sink hole was caused by an eroded culvert and sewer laying beneath the road surface. 

Repair work is now well underway with United Utilities commiting to dispense engineers to the site for ten hours each day until work is complete.

Engineers are reportedly using radar technology to assess Mancunian Way for further damage.

The closure of Mancunian Way has come at a time when further roadworks and closures are causing havoc across the city, Oxford Road, Europe's busiest bus route, has been closed for the month to demolish a bridge; the construction of Metrolink's second city crossing has all but crippled the city centre while work around NOMA and Victoria Station has reduced capacity to a single lane. 

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Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The Mancunian Way serves thousands of motorists each day and its closure has a clear impact on traffic flow across the city centre.

"We have looked at sites across the city that have traffic management systems in place to see how we can work with partners to reduce their impact and help alleviate congestion.

“United Utilities are currently managing the site of the collapse and have begun to backfill the hole to stabilise it as part of the initial repair plan. For the time being, the Mancunian Way will remain closed in both directions until we are satisfied it is safe for the westbound route to reopen.

“We will continue to update on the closure as the situation continues.” 

Manchester City Council are currently in talks with United Utilities to extend work at the site to 24 hours to bring forward repairs.

Traffic is still be diverted via London Road, Fairfield Street, A665, Hyde Road and Downing Street. 

(image credit: @PhotolinkStudio)