ENGINEERS were today trying to pinpoint exactly why a vital support cable snapped on Glasgow's £20million Squinty Bridge.

ENGINEERS were today trying to pinpoint exactly why a vital support cable snapped on Glasgow's £20million Squinty Bridge.

As thousands of motorists faced a second day of disruption, the race is on to shed light on how the cable could have failed.

As reported in last night's Evening Times, the Clyde Arc bridge could be shut for weeks after the incident late on Monday night.

Local residents told how they heard an "explosion" as the cable snapped and fell onto the carriageway.

The 70ft failed strut is one of 14 that secure the arc to the carriageway and the bridge is designed so that supports can be removed one at a time for repair and maintenance.

However, council chiefs decided to close the bridge for safety reasons until full investigations are carried out.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said a consultant had been appointed by bridge builders Edmund Nuttall Ltd, but it's not yet known when the broken cable will be removed.

She added: "The consultant will carry out further investigations on the pieces which are lying on the carriageway and we are awaiting a progress report.

"We have not yet been given a clear timescale for when the affected support will be removed."

Robert Booth, executive director of the council's land and environmental services, said the bridge was designed to allow the removal of one strut for maintenance without affecting its operation.

He added: "Our number one priority is public safety and until we are completely satisfied the bridge is safe to use, it will remain closed.

Mr Booth said the bridge was guaranteed by the contractor for three years and the costs of any repairs would be covered.

The bridge links Finnieston to the Pacific Quay site on the south side.

It was opened in September 2006 as part of the project to regenerate the banks of the Clyde. It's the newest bridge to be built over the River Clyde, and the first new road bridge since 1969.

John Colvin, night manager of the nearby City Inn Hotel, was at work when the cable snapped.

"There was an almighty bang, like an explosion," he said. "You could feel the vibrations through the wall of the hotel."

Hotel guest Lindsey Matthews, 24, from London, was in her third-floor room when she heard a bang and felt the building shake.

She said: "I thought a bomb had gone off and the whole place shook.

"Then I saw something lying in the road but cars were still zooming across.

"I called the police and the whole place was cordoned off. It was pretty frightening."