A BIZZARE crater-like dip that has formed in the middle of an Urmston road has found to be caused by a ‘collapsed sewer’, United Utilities have confirmed.

A dent, which appeared to be the beginnings of a sinkhole opening up, formed in the middle of Stretford Road earlier this week, causing concern for motorists.

United Utilities launched an investigation into the concave surface and lane restrictions were put in place.

Engineers from United Utilities carried out investigations during the early hours of Friday morning, in order to avoid disruption at the busy junction with Church Road and Stretford Road.

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: "We now believe the depression is caused by a collapsed sewer, and we have been setting up pumps and above-ground pipework this afternoon in order to bypass the damaged section. This will allow us to maintain sewer flows while we carry out further investigations and plan repairs.

"We've agreed traffic management with One Trafford Partnership. There will be temporary 3-way traffic lights between the junction of Stretford Road/ Station Road and the junction of Stretford Road/ Westmorland Road. Traffic will not be able to turn in or out of Westmorland Road from Stretford Road.

"This damaged sewer is 6m deep which means we will need specialist teams and equipment to carry out repairs. We will have a better idea of the duration of repair work next week when we have carried out further investigations and begun excavation. In the meantime, we thank local residents and drivers for their patience."