Sewer collapse fears close road

A major road in Norwich has been closed after the surface gave way in what is believed to be a sewer collapse.

Anglian Water said it is investigating an 11m (35ft) deep hole on Newmarket Road that serves the A11.

The road around the 5m (16ft) by 3m (10ft) hole is closed from the junction of Leopold Road to Daniel's roundabout.

The company said sewage services to homes and businesses in the area would not be affected, but said repairs to the main will take severals weeks.

A diversion has been set up along Unthank Road, but heavy goods vehicles have been advised to use the A47 bypass instead of residential streets.

Fortnight closure

Sarah Rowland, from Anglian Water, said: "It's difficult to tell whether it's an underground cavity, for which Norwich is well renowned, that has caused the sewer to collapse, or whether the collapsed sewer has caused the cavity.

"The important thing is that we're out there at the moment, we've got contractors on the way and we hope to start sorting the problem out.

"It is going to take us a bit of time, so obviously there will be a road closure which could take us up to a couple of weeks if not more.

"Nobody should notice disruption to their waste water services and the only disruption will be to road users."