The hole on Hazeldine Way in Shrewsbury

PART OF a busy Shrewsbury road was shut today after a pavement collapsed, leaving a gaping hole alongside the street.

Shropshire Council closed off one side of Hazeldine Way, near Meole Brace, on Saturday night after the hole was reported to police. Council officials today said a suspected burst drainage main was believed to have caused the pavement to collapse.

This has forced the road to be closed for safety reasons for the “next few days”.

Pedestrians and motorists were redirected away from the A5112 down Oteley Road, past the Greenhous Meadow football ground, yesterday for their safety

Gary Parton, co-ordination manager (Central) highway and transport team at the council, said: “A suspected main drainage burst has caused a collapse of the footway and carriageway at this location.

“A large void has formed beneath the carriageway surface, and the road has been closed for safety reasons.”

He said there were “complications” which needed to be made safe before full repairs could take place.

Mr Parton said engineers yesterday began work to investigate the problem and this would continue today, followed by repair work “as soon as possible”.

Shropshire Council has advised Arriva Midlands that buses operating on the Meole Brace Park & Ride service in Shrewsbury will be diverted due to the main link road at Hazeldine Way being closed.

Keith Myatt, a spokesman for Arriva, said the incident would cause disruption.

He said: “Bus stops missed will be Asda, English Bridge and bottom of the Wyle Cop. These stops can be accessed by getting off at Dogpole and walking down Wyle Cop.”

Through traffic is currently diverted from Meole Brace roundabout, eastbound along Oteley Road and Thieves Lane to Emstrey Island, via London Road to the column roundabout, and Haycock Way to Pritchard Way. Access westbound along Hazeldine Way remains unaffected. It is only the eastbound direction that has been closed.

West Mercia Police said the hole was reported just before 11pm.

Severn Trent said the problem had not been caused by any of its network.

By Chrissy Symmons and Russell Roberts