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Road hole 'caused by air pocket' Road hole 'caused by air pocket'
(10 minutes later)
The collapse of one of Belfast's busiest roads was caused by an air pocket rising to the surface, an NI Water spokesman has said.The collapse of one of Belfast's busiest roads was caused by an air pocket rising to the surface, an NI Water spokesman has said.
Bill Gowdy said the rupture in Cromac Street damaged an old Victorian sewer about four metres under the road.Bill Gowdy said the rupture in Cromac Street damaged an old Victorian sewer about four metres under the road.
He said the air pocket was probably disturbed a year ago during work on the Belfast Sewers Project.He said the air pocket was probably disturbed a year ago during work on the Belfast Sewers Project.
It will take a week to repair the road, and talks about minimising traffic disruption have been taking place.It will take a week to repair the road, and talks about minimising traffic disruption have been taking place.
The damage to the road was discovered early on Saturday.The damage to the road was discovered early on Saturday.
The tarmac mostly stayed intact, but a 15 square metre hole emerged underneath the road.The tarmac mostly stayed intact, but a 15 square metre hole emerged underneath the road.
ALTERNATIVE TRAFFIC ROUTES Ormeau Avenue and Bedford StreetEast Bridge Street, Albert Bridge, Short Strand and Bridge End Hamilton Street, Franklin Street and Bedford Street Traffic disruption
Mr Gowdy said the air pocket was an "exceptional event" caused by Belfast's "unique clay geology".Mr Gowdy said the air pocket was an "exceptional event" caused by Belfast's "unique clay geology".
The new storm-water tunnel built as part of the Belfast Sewers Project lies 15 metres beneath the surface and was not damaged.The new storm-water tunnel built as part of the Belfast Sewers Project lies 15 metres beneath the surface and was not damaged.
ALTERNATIVE TRAFFIC ROUTES Ormeau Avenue and Bedford StreetEast Bridge Street, Albert Bridge, Short Strand and Bridge End Hamilton Street, Franklin Street and Bedford Street
The project remains on course to begin operating before the end of the year, said Mr Gowdy.The project remains on course to begin operating before the end of the year, said Mr Gowdy.
No infrastructure cabling was damaged as the road buckled.No infrastructure cabling was damaged as the road buckled.
Roads Service spokesman Colin Brown said on Saturday that the city is built upon a deposit of soft clay, silt and mud known as "Belfast Sleech". Meanwhile, motorists driving into Belfast city centre on Monday have been warned to expect significant traffic disruption.
"Periodically we can get voids forming under the roads," he said. Drivers coming in from the east and south of the city will be worst affected.
"Sometimes it's very clear what has caused it, other times it's quite a mystery." The Roads Service have put in a number of signposted diversion routes while Cromac Street remains closed:
  • Drivers coming from east Belfast have been advised to use the Queens Bridge rather than the Albert Bridge. There will, however, still be access to the Ormeau Road (countrybound) from Albertbridge Road and East Bridge Street;
  • Drivers coming into the city along the Ormeau Road have been asked to find an alternative route if possible, as heavy congestion is expected on the diversion route of Ormeau Avenue, Bedford Street and Howard Street.