Godstone Sinkhole: Homes Still at Risk, Councillor Issues Warning

Hey, listen to this about that sinkhole! A big sinkhole opened in Godstone. It swallowed part of the main street. Luckily, nearby buildings seem okay right now, still, they could be at risk, sadly. People had to leave their homes.

This happened in Surrey on Monday night. A water pipe burst under the road. SES Water thinks this caused the sinkhole. The area is blocked off for safety. Experts will check the site today to figure out how to fix it.

A local official, Matt Furniss, spoke about it. He said homes near the hole appear stable, but this could change, he warned everyone. They will start drilling to investigate today. People may not return home for months.

Furniss said all utilities are now shut off, so there’s no risk of an explosion from cables. Sadly, a second sinkhole appeared nearby. It surfaced in someone’s front yard on Tuesday, and it probably connects to the first one.

A car was almost swallowed by that second hole. The car is very close to the edge, and they will retrieve it when it is safe. The second hole formed because water flowed downhill from the initial large sinkhole location.

The area around the holes is stable for now. They don’t know exactly why the pipe broke. The drilling should help them understand what’s happening. Surrey Highways will find a solution soon. They aim to rebuild the damaged road.

The official mentioned the ground might not be ideal for building, as the site is potentially unstable underground. But, some technologies can stabilize ground. They will review the area and take steps to rebuild properly.

Most residents found their own places to stay. They are with family, friends, or insurance. Officials will allow them back when it’s safe. The county is performing checks quickly because safety is the most essential thing for them.