Motorists are being diverted away from Lower Brook Street in Ipswich after a sinkhole opened outside a house.

Ipswich Star: Sinkhole opens in Lower Brook Street, Ipswich. Picture: ARCHANTSinkhole opens in Lower Brook Street, Ipswich. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The hole, which is around a foot deep at the moment, is expected to get larger – engineers believe a sewer has collapsed.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area and Ipswich Central street rangers are currently controlling traffic attempting to enter the road.

Cones have been put in place and the section of road near number 12 is completely shut off – and is expected to remain that way into the evening.

Suffolk Highways engineers are carrying out assessments at the scene, and Anglian Water teams are on their way.

A highways spokesman said: “We were called to Lower Brook Street outside number 12 at around 2.30pm today.

“A sinkhole has opened and engineers are on the scene.

“It is a suspected collapsed sewer and we are in the process of making the area safe.

“We’d urge motorists to avoid the area at the moment.”

Stay with us for updates on this developing story.