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Homes evacuated after 'sinkhole' appears

Rumeana JahangirNorth West
News imageBBC Policewoman and residents stands by orange traffic cones placed outside road entrance into the estate.BBC
People were advised to avoid the area with road closures in place

Seven homes have been evacuated after an apparent sinkhole opened up following heavy rain in Lancashire.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said a road surface had collapsed at a new housing estate in Greenfield, near Pole Lane, in Darwen, with emergency services called to the scene.

The authority said: "Our priority is the safety of all residents in the area."

It added the site developer had been informed and utility companies were also attending.

People have been advised to avoid the area with road closures in place.

News imagePolice car and other vehicles parked on road outside the new homes. People mill around on pavement outside the estate.
Concerns have been raised about the development being built in a former mining area

Some residents said concerns had previously been raised about the development being built in a former mining area.

One posted on Facebook: "A sinkhole, where there are old mineshafts, who would have guessed it!"

Another added: "I remember our old neighbour saying this would happen before the houses were even built."

News imageGoogle Google streetview of detached redbrick homes on the new estate, lining a road next to a green patch of grass.Google
Seven homes have been evacuated on the estate in Green Field

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