Major road closed amid 'collapse' as drivers told to avoid the area

Part of a busy Greater Manchester road has been closed off following a 'collapse'. Drivers are being diverted away from the A6 Manchester Road, in Swinton, near to Moorside Road.

Bosses at Diamond Bus say the issue has been caused by the 'road collapsing', leading to disruption for its passengers this morning (September 26). A sinkhole on the road had also been reported by Stagecoach at the weekend.

Salford Council says the road closure is due to a burst water main outside the Tesco Express shop on Manchester Road. People are currently being urged to avoid the area.

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In a post on Twitter this morning, a spokesperson for Salford Council said: "The A6 Manchester Road, near Moorside Road, Swinton is currently closed due to a water main burst outside the Tesco Express shop. United Utilities are investigating and diversions are in place, including for buses but please avoid the area."

A spokesperson for Diamond Bus wrote on Twitter: "Due to the road collapsing on the A6 Manchester Road our 36/37 services and all traffic in this area are having to divert. This is causing serious traffic congestion and delays in all surrounding areas."

A United Utilities spokesperson, said: “We were alerted to a leak on Manchester Road on Friday which our teams attended and repaired on Saturday. Reinstatement works on the road are expected to be completed by the end of the week.”

Salford councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable development said: “United Utilities is investigating a water main and the road is now closed. They expect it to be closed for seven days while it is repaired.

“The collapse appears to have been caused by a burst water main. The pressure of the water has lifted the road surface and caused serious and extensive damage to around 700 square metres of road.”

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