A PENSIONER driving a mobility scooter had a narrow escape after a 25-metre void opened up under an Altrincham road.

Stamford Street has been closed since about 2pm on Wednesday after subsidence occurred between Stamford Way and Post Office Street - located at the back of Rackhams department store - resulting in the hole, which is five-feet by eight-feet at the surface.

The owner of Jose Hair Salon, Jose Izquierdo, saw the hole form right outside his premises and called the police.

He said: “I found out about the hole after a man on a mobility scooter nearly went into it. He had a lucky escape. I called the police and they were here in minutes and the road was closed.

“I could see the road sinking in front of me. it was moving and getting bigger. It will be a difficult job to tackle. I’ve been here for 40 years and never seen anything like it.”

A spokesperson for United Utilities confirmed that the cause of the hole was a collapsed sewer that resulted in 25-metre void.

She said: "Quite often when a drain collapses it will take a huge amount of the ground away with it, leaving the tarmac behind.

"Repair work will begin on Monday and should last for at least two weeks, after we assess the hole and how much damage has been done."

More to follow.