Massive sinkhole on M62 causing travel chaos

A massive 20ft sinkhole has opened up between junctions 20 and 19 of the M62, bringing traffic to a halt.

The hole appeared shortly after midday, as the region was battered by a month's rain in a few hours.

The westbound carriageway has been closed as engineers examine the scene.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "When the road surface experiences rainfall like we've had today even a slight change in temperature can cause weakness in the road surface.

"We've got engineers on site investigating exactly what has happened and what work is required to fix it.

"The hole appears to span two lanes and we're hoping to get one lane re-opened by 2pm to ease some of the traffic problems."

Diversions are in place:

Follow solid black circle. Leave at J20 via A627(M) southbound, Slattocks link road westbound then take the A664 westbound onto the A6046 to re-join M62 at J19. Congestion to J22, A672 (Rishworth Moor).