A rapidly growing sinkhole in Godstone, Surrey, has triggered a major incident, prompting evacuations and raising concerns about infrastructure safety.
Authorities have mobilised resources as the collapse threatens to consume more of the high street. Here are key facts about the recent development:Â
How It Started
The first depression emerged late on Monday night in Godstone High Street, gradually expanding to approximately 65 feet (20 meters) by Tuesday lunchtime.
By Wednesday, a second cavity had formed, exacerbating the crisis. Residents were forced to flee as the ground beneath their neighbourhood continued to give way.
Residents Forced to Evacuate
Local authorities ordered immediate evacuations, fearing potential explosions due to exposed cables. Nicola and Damian Styles, who lived on the affected street, described the abrupt nature of their departure.
“We just sort of grabbed everything, the clothes on our back and our work laptops, and drove out quickly. We didn’t know how long we were going to be out for,” Nicola recalled.
Another resident, Tracey Jones, expressed frustration over the ordeal, calling it “an absolute nightmare.”
Noosh Miri, whose home was directly in front of the initial collapse, described the urgency of the situation. “We got a violent knocking on the door. As I opened the door, it sounded like I was in a waterfall because the sinkhole was right in front of my doorstep,” she said. “The policewoman told us we needed to get out straight away, and in the space of 10 minutes, we got the kids dressed, we grabbed the nearest things that we could find.”
Possible Causes
Geological factors and heavy traffic may have contributed to the instability.
“Godstone is a really old village, but it’s also built on caves. It’s also a place that gets a massive amount of traffic, with heavy-loaded lorries. You often get the rattles in the house as they’re driving through,” Miri explained.
Local accounts suggest that historic mining operations beneath the town might have weakened the ground. Some residents also believe that continuous road repairs have failed to address underlying structural weaknesses.
Impact and Ongoing Efforts
The road remains closed, and emergency teams are working to assess and mitigate further risks. Adrian Harms, reporting from the scene, noted that the second cavity continues to expand, making it uncertain when residents will be allowed to return.
Carl Bussey, assistant director for safer communities at Surrey County Council, assured residents that they are being supported. “Residents from within the cordon—around 30 properties—are being supported by Tandridge District Council with advice around accommodation,” he said.
Meanwhile, SES Water confirmed that the water supply had been restored, though it warned of temporary discolouration. Affected customers will receive compensation.
The Road Ahead
Authorities have declared a major incident, allowing for coordinated efforts across multiple agencies. The operation is now under the supervision of the Surrey Local Resilience Forum.
While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, local officials have indicated that the road will remain closed for an extended period.
With dramatic images capturing the severity of the situation, residents and officials remain on high alert as the ground continues to shift beneath them.
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