Interstate cables OK despite tunnel collapse: Telstra

Telstra has said no threat exists to major interstate cables after part of the Lane Cove tunnel roadworks collapsed in Sydney today.

A statement from the telco this afternoon said this morning's incident at Lane Cove would have "minimal impact" on the telephone network.

"There are three major fibre optic cables running across the hole but, as a precaution, Telstra has redirected its major interstate traffic," it stated.

"Some of this was done several months ago when road works first started, as a precaution."

Police were called to Epping Road between Longueville Road and the Pacific Highway in Sydney at 2.30am today, acording to a statement from NSW Police.

A resident had called the police to complain about a burst water main. Police arrived on the scene to discover a hole 10 x 10 metres.

Forty-seven people were immediately evacuated from two nearby blocks of flats, according to NSW Police.

Telstra said about 2000 local residents could lose telecommunications services if the units collapsed.

The telco was organising back-up services, including providing emergency mobile phones to priority assistance customers, it said.