Pavement reopens as sinkhole repairs progress

Lauren Collins,BBC News, South Eastand
Mark Carter,Reporter, BBC Surrey
News imageBBC/ Mark Carter A yellow sign in front of significant roadwork hoardings which reads uneven footpath, a newly opened and resurfaces footpath can be seen on the right and houses on the leftBBC/ Mark Carter
Pedestrians are now able to walk along the reopened section of pavement on the High Street

A section of pavement has reopened around the site of a notorious sinkhole in Surrey.

The sinkhole, which has since been downgraded to a "road collapse", first opened up in Godstone High Street in February.

Sunday marks six months since the road collapsed, causing property evacuations, business closures and significant traffic disruptions for locals.

Surrey County Council has been contacted for comment.

News imageEddie Mitchell An enourmous hole in a road full of mud, water and road debris beside some red brick houses seen from the air. Eddie Mitchell
Residents from about 30 properties were told to evacuate when the sinkholes first opened back in February

In June, SCC said it was investigating an underground tunnel located eight metres beneath the surface of the high street which is believed to be part of an old sand mine.

Residents from about 30 properties were told to evacuate when the sinkholes first opened back in February – one of which measured 65ft (20m) in length.

The stretch of pavement along the high street will mean lengthy diversions for pedestrians trying to access the town centre will end.

The cause of the road collapse remains under investigation.

News imageBBC/ Mark Carter Bright orange building site barriers and red fencing enclose a large rectangular hole in thje middle of a road beside a pavement. A bright yellow digger can be seen in the stance along with many red and white traffic cones and houses in the distance on the left hand sideBBC/ Mark Carter
Beside the newly reopened footpath, works at the road collapse site are ongoing

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