Burst water main causes damage to Sidcot A38

The sinkhole appeared overnight on the A38 Bristol Road in Winscombe

Damage caused by a burst water main has caused part of a busy road to collapse, leaving a coach stuck.

A section of road collapsed overnight on the A38 in Sidcot to the north of the A371 junction. It is now closed in both directions.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed no-one was injured.

Bristol Water said it was assessing the damage and a diversion was in place. North Somerset Council said the road would remain closed for several days.

A Bristol Water spokesman said: "We are starting to dig on to the water main. The road is likely to be closed for a few days into next week."

North Somerset Council has said a diversion route is in place

A spokesman for North Somerset Council said officials were called out to the road, which is shut between the the junction of Oakridge Lane and the A38, early on Friday morning:

"Bristol Water are on site and will be excavating to determine the extent of the damage," he said.

"They are looking into the possibility of opening the road under two-way traffic lights.

"This will only take place if the damage has not reached both lanes of the highway."

A diversion route has been put in place and motorists are being advised to avoid the area.

Bristol Water has now isolated the leak from the burst water main