A massive sinkhole swallowed part of Godstone’s High Street. Repairs may take a year, leaving many residents displaced.
The next day, another hole showed up in a yard. Officials think the holes are related to each other. A meeting happened at St Nicholas Youth Centre where locals met to discuss the major problem.
People at the meeting were not happy. They said housing plans were unclear and messy. Some had to move almost every single day, expressing growing frustration and sadness because of this situation.
One resident’s family moved three times in four nights. Diego Silva, who has a 17-month-old baby, said moving so much is hard on her routine. Stability is what his young child truly needs right now.
Silva’s baby became clingy after they left their home. She cries at night because she feels lost and wants her mom and dad with her often, while the chaos greatly impacts her sleep.
Some people found temporary places through insurance, while others used family and friend connections. A woman representing many asked important questions, noting that insurers only offer a few weeks of housing.
The council might need to help more people soon. Two families already got emergency housing from them. Hotels or bed and breakfasts could be early options but these aren’t good long-term, she noted.
Families spend too much on food and can’t do laundry. James Devonshire knows the situation is difficult, but said the council will help anyone who needs it.
Long-term support is now truly required for many. Insurance helps only for a bit, he noted, and hotel stays for families are short, only six weeks.
Then, the council needs self-contained housing, he said. The council already houses 44 other families due to emergencies. Lloyd Allen said fixing the street could take a year.
He calls it a “collapse”, not just a sinkhole and recognizes the problem as a very serious and complex one. Surrey County Council will work hard to solve this so people will eventually return to their homes safely.
Getting everyone back is the ultimate goal, but they must check everything is safe completely. They cannot let people go home if danger persists and people will be allowed to go back slowly, bit by bit. The timeline remains unclear for now.