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Road collapsing in city centre Experts assessing collapsed road
(about 2 hours later)
A road in Belfast city centre has begun collapsing into a large hole. Engineers have begun an investigation into why a road in Belfast city centre collapsed and how to repair the damage.
The hole at Cromac Street in the city centre was discovered early on Saturday. It is thought it will take days to repair. The rupture in Cromac Street was discovered early on Saturday. It is thought it will take days to repair.
The tarmac on the road is still intact but it has begun tearing, and engineers believe a hole of about 15 square metres could emerge. It is understood an emergency meeting will be held on Sunday to discuss the potential traffic disruption in the city centre.
The depression in the road is above a storm-water tunnel in the multi-million pound Belfast Sewers Project.The depression in the road is above a storm-water tunnel in the multi-million pound Belfast Sewers Project.
Work has been ongoing since 2005 on constructing a six-mile network of tunnels running underneath the city.Work has been ongoing since 2005 on constructing a six-mile network of tunnels running underneath the city.
The key junction in the sewerage network is located at Cromac Street, in the area of the collapsed road.
Investigators have begun examining what caused the collapse and the safest way to fix the road.
DiversionsDiversions
The key junction in the sewerage network is located at Cromac Street, in the area of the collapsed road.
In a statement, NI Water said staff were "working closely with other utilities to secure the site".In a statement, NI Water said staff were "working closely with other utilities to secure the site".
The tarmac on the road began tearing up on Saturday morningThe tarmac on the road began tearing up on Saturday morning
Roads Service spokesman Colin Brown said the city is built upon a deposit of soft clay, silt and mud known as "Belfast Sleech".Roads Service spokesman Colin Brown said the city is built upon a deposit of soft clay, silt and mud known as "Belfast Sleech".
"Periodically we can get voids forming under the roads," he said."Periodically we can get voids forming under the roads," he said.
"Sometimes it's very clear what has caused it, other times it's quite a mystery. "Sometimes it's very clear what has caused it, other times it's quite a mystery."
"It could be a substantial hole in the road but we'll know more later." Cromac Street has been closed at its junction with East Bridge Street, and a number of road diversions have been put in place.
Cromac Street has been closed at its junction with East Bridge Street, and number of road diversions have been put in place.
Metro bus services are being diverted onto Ormeau Avenue and Linenhall Street, with Ulsterbus services travelling via the Short Strand and Queens Bridge.Metro bus services are being diverted onto Ormeau Avenue and Linenhall Street, with Ulsterbus services travelling via the Short Strand and Queens Bridge.