A HUGE 65ft sinkhole that forced families to evacuate could take months to fix due to a network of hidden tunnels, it is claimed.
The picturesque village of Godstone in Surrey, was split in half by the 5ft deep trench, in what was described as “a scene from an earthquake” on February 17.
EPAHuge sinkholes in Godstone, Surrey, appeared back in February[/caption]
SWNSBut it is claimed they will take months to be fixed[/caption]
EPAThe first sinkhole grew to a length of 20m (65ft)[/caption]
The sinkhole emerged suddenly after a 12in water main burst and road above it collapsed.
Thirty households had to abandon their homes, while residents in the north were completely cut off by the cratered high street, which is also the A25.
And three months on, the sinkhole has still not been fully fixed, leaving residents disgruntled.
In an update on Friday, the council said once investigations and surveys had been completed, a plan for repair works would be designed.
However, some locals have accused Surrey County Council of dithering about.
But there may well be another reason for the delays, with new theories about a deep-lying system of cavities.
Lloyd Allen, the council’s infrastructure manager, said that there is “potentially something underground”.
And Mr Allen thinks it’s possible that deep-lying cavities were responsible for the burst water main.
Speaking to The Times he said: “We think it could be a series of caves or one tunnel.”
However, as the possible caves or tunnels don’t exist on any geological surveys or maps, there is no point filling in the hole until they are found.
Mr Allen added: “You have to be really careful when you’re drilling into this because we could drill into it in the wrong place and cause an almighty problem.”
Temporary connections have already been installed to get people back in the homes.
But the main pipes and cables have been disconnected and will need repairing or replacing in the long term.
A council spokesperson said that it “isn’t a simple process” and would usually take several months for a utility company to plan, schedule and complete works of this kind.
The area affected by the collapse and the structure of the road will be fully reconstructed once the other repairs have been made, the council added.
A major part of the project was reconnecting gas, electricity, water and telecoms in the area, the council said.
Mr Allen added: “This continues to be a complex incident involving a number of factors and agencies, and as previously explained, it will take several more months to get the road fully reopened.”
However, locals are still upset about the current situation which has also affected their livelihoods.
The partial closure of the A25 has cut most of Godstone off from easy access to the M25, which means passing traffic is taking another route.
Mark Cullinan, who owns the Hare & Hounds pub, bemoaned that the works have taken a huge toll on his business and income.
He told The Times: “We used to get 500 cars an hour coming down here. Our passing trade is absolutely gone.
“The fairground was here at the weekend. It would normally be packed. Now? Absolutely nothing.”
Is your property at risk from a sinkhole?
There are thousands of natural sinkholes, also known as dolines, in the UK, particularly in the upland areas of northern England, according to the British Geological Survey.
By and large, these are not actively subsiding, but occasionally new sinkholes form, particularly after heavy rain.
Built up areas can be at risk and it is believed sinkholes are becoming more common in the UK, partly due to extreme rainfall, which scientists have linked to climate change.
Dr Andrew Farrant of the BGS, says: “By their very nature, collapse features caused by burst pipes or collapsed infrastructure are mostly likely to occur in built up areas or beneath roads, and could happen in other areas with similar geology and aging infrastructure.
“Many recent sinkholes have been caused by collapses of old sewers or culverts, such as the sinkhole near Merthyr Tydfil last December.
“There have been other recent instances of sinkholes due to flushing out of sands and weak sandstones, for example the sinkhole that closed Storrington High Street last October.”
Stunned locals could not believe their eyes after the sinkhole appeared back in February.
Christine Duncan, 57, who has lived in her home just outside the cordon for over two decades said previously that she is still in shock at what has happened.
She said: “My husband was down the pub and saw a trickle of water. Then the sinkhole just suddenly appeared.
“I have lived here for 24 years, and I have never seen anything like this before. I am still in shock. I can’t make heads or tails of it.
“I am very worried about how long it is going to take to fix the road. My main concern is that there are a lot of vulnerable people around here and there is a care home just down the road.”
Graham Brookes, 94, has lived in his nearby home for nine years – but says he has been involved in the area for decades.
He agreed that the main worry is for older people who will have to walk a long way to get around the cordon.
EPAThe two massive sinkholes have caused havoc in the tiny village[/caption]
LNPWork taking place around the sinkhole[/caption]
PALocals are disgruntled at the current situation[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
