A hole has opened up in a York road, causing its closure and prompting traffic tailbacks.
The hole appeared on Gillygate, opposite Café No 8 and close to the junction with Bootham, on Monday (August 8).
Yorkshire Water said the cause was a sewer collapse. Gillygate will be closed in both directions till at least Friday to allow for emergency repairs.
A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said:
We forecast that the road will remain closed until at least Friday and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience this will cause which we will try to mitigate as much as possible.
A diversion route is in place and we have started speaking to the local businesses affected.
As is inevitable when such a busy route is shut, the closure caused tailbacks elsewhere in the city.
Motorists reported gridlock on Lord Mayor’s Walk and on to St Maurice’s Road, and there were delays on Bootham too.
Bus diversions
In the meantime, First buses 1, 5, 5A, 6 and 40 are being diverted.
The 1, 5, 5A are diverted via Rougier St, Ouse Bridge, Stonebow, Lord Mayor’s Walk.
The number 6 is going via Bootham, Clifton and Burton Stone Lane, and is unable to serve York Hospital.
The number 40 is now going via Clifton and Burton Stone Lane.
Bus users wishing to travel to York Hospital should use the services 1, 5 and 5A and alight at Union Terrace.