Belfast street subsides into hole

Part of one of Belfast’s busiest streets subsided into what is believed to be a large hole.

Huge disruption is expected after the tarmac at Cromac Street sagged and left a hole which road engineers believe could stretch up to 15 square metres.

Officials from the Northern Ireland Roads Service are trying to establish the cause of the collapse, which will take days to fix.

Cromac Street has been closed at the junction with East Bridge Street.

Roads Service spokesman Colin Brown said: “Periodically we can get voids forming under the roads.

“Sometimes it’s very clear what has caused it, other times it’s quite a mystery,” he added.

A spokeswoman for Northern Ireland Water (NIW) said the depression developed in the road above a stormwater tunnel which is part of the Belfast Sewers Project.

“NIW staff are on site and are working closely with other utilities to secure the site, a full investigation is under way to determine the cause of the road depression,” she said.

“NIW will commence repairs as soon as possible. Traffic diversions are in place.

“NIW would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to the public.”

PA