Motorists in Manchester faced more misery today after a new sinkhole appeared on the Mancunian Way.

The road was closed in both directions for a second time after the crater was discovered during ongoing repair work to the eastbound carriageway.

Authorities shut the route off to investigate whether the ‘hollow’ extended under the westbound carriageway, posing a risk to cars passing over it.

The new hole is located just yards from the site where a 40ft crater appeared on the Mancunian Way on August 14.

Engineers pumped it full of concrete to stabilise the road, before assessment work began to determine whether vehicles could safely pass over again.

But a Manchester council spokesman said that they could not yet confirm when the road might reopen.

They said: “Motorists are being advised that the westbound carriageway of the Mancunian Way has been closed for safety reasons.

“This is because a hole has appeared within the existing work compound, in an area that was being excavated to repair the original highway collapse, and it is possible that this hole may extend under the westbound carriageway.

“We are working closely with United Utilities to make sure this can be made safe as an urgent priority, enabling repair work on the wider highway collapse to continue, and get the westbound carriageway reopened as quickly as possible.

“Diversions which have been in place since the end of August will remain and signing will be reinforced.”

In pictures: Sinkhole opens on Mancunian Way

The original 40ft crater first appeared near the ‘PC World junction’ and Great Ancoats Street end of the route during heavy rain more than a month ago.

Workmen stayed on site day and night over the last Bank Holiday weekend and the road was eventually reopened on September 1.

A number of people contacted the M.E.N. on Twitter and Facebook today to vent their anger at the road closing for a second time.

@Pauldeaks12 said: “Let’s look for the underlying causes not patch up and ignore.”

While Mikey Roebuck said: “Can’t even fix a simple pot hole.”

And Greg Cooke said: “Cheap quote, cheap job, all too familiar these days. Our roads are getting beyond the joke they are no longer safe to drive on.”

But others saw the funny side of the new closure.

Corrie fan account @I_Am_KenBarlow created a new meme for the crater, and commented: “Don’t worry. The sinkhole is just part of the plot for the #Corrie live episode.”

While on Facebook Marguerite Heywood said: “Well - they need to get to the bottom of it ! Obviously!!”

And Stuart Harmer-Meakin asked: “Why don’t they just fill it with porridge?”

Transport for Greater Manchester sent this update: "The westbound carriageway of the Mancunian Way has today been closed for safety reasons.

"This is because a hole has appeared within the existing work compound, in an area that was being excavated to repair the original highway collapse.

"Drivers are advised that both lanes are now closed between London Road and Fairfield Street.

"Manchester City Council are working closely with United Utilities to make sure this can be made safe as an urgent priority, enabling repair work on the wider highway collapse to continue, and get the westbound carriageway reopened as quickly as possible.

"Diversions which have been in place since the end of August will remain and signing will be reinforced.

In pictures: Sinkhole memes

"Motorists travelling to tonight's Manchester City versus Juventus game at the Etihad Stadium are being urged to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time to get to the ground.

"To help alleviate traffic congestion, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Urban Traffic Control Team has updated roadside variable message signs and has worked with Highways England to update their signs too, forewarning of the issue. We are working with Manchester council to monitor traffic flows and take measures to help reduce congestion.

"Our team is also managing traffic signal timings to minimise the impact of the diversion on local roads.

"City centre bus services are likely to be affected by increased congestion caused by diverted traffic so both motorists and bus passengers should allow more time for journeys as a result.

"Motorists will be updated on further developments as soon as possible."