Sinkhole on major Christchurch road caused by burst water main

A burst water main has opened up a hole in the road and left 50 properties in a Christchurch suburb without water.

Christchurch City Council says the main burst in Fendalton about 6.30am on Friday.

It has left a hole in the surface of Fendalton Rd.

A section of the busy arterial route is closed while contractors try to fix the problem.

Water can be seen flowing into nearby streets and workers are trying to pump it out of the hole.

The council expects the repair work to take 2pm today.

Earlier, traffic was backed up around Fendalton Road. A taxi was also damaged after driving into the large sinkhole.

Police say they received reports of water, flooding and potential road damage on Friday at about 6.20am.

Nearby resident Rachel Alexander says she woke up to a text from a neighbour warning that the water was off.

While walking her dog she says she saw the sinkhole in the road.

"I managed to get right up next to it and the sinkhole is a good one metre or two metres wide and there's a contractor digging there."

The sinkhole is near St Barnabas Church, a prominent landmark in the city.

Canterbury was hit by heavy rain on Thursday.