A sinkhole that has opened up on one of Manchester’s busiest roads could lead to weeks of delays for motorists.The eastern end of Mancunian Way has been closed in both directions after a huge sinkhole appeared following Friday's (14 August) heavy rain.In a statement, Manchester City Council said: “The Mancunian Way closure has come at a time when other essential works across the city are affecting travel routes, but the council is working with partners to ensure routes are as open as possible.”The council is working with United Utilities to stabilise the sinkhole, which is believed to be 40 foot deep.Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "The Mancunian Way serves thousands of motorists each day and its closure has a clear impact on traffic flow across the city centre. We have looked at sites across the city that have traffic management systems in place to see how we can work with partners to reduce their impact and help alleviate congestion."United Utilities are currently managing the site of the collapse and have begun to backfill the hole to stabilise it as part of the initial repair plan. For the time being, the Mancunian Way will remain closed in both directions until we are satisfied it is safe for the westbound route to reopen. We will continue to update on the closure as the situation continues."