In Surrey, a council has issued a major incident declaration following the sudden appearance of a massive sinkhole on a high street. The sinkhole, which initially emerged in Godstone High Street late on Monday night, has grown to a size of at least 65ft (20m) by Tuesday afternoon. Several residences have been evacuated, one of which has had its garden engulfed by the hole. Concerns arose on Tuesday morning when police instructed residents in William Way to vacate promptly due to fears of a potential explosion caused by exposed cables.
Handling of the major incident has been assumed by the Surrey Local Resilience Forum, with Surrey County Council (SCC) leading the operations. Investigations are ongoing to ensure safety in the area and to restore utilities, as stated by SCC. Carl Bussey, the council’s assistant director for safer communities, mentioned that Tandridge District Council is offering guidance regarding accommodation to residents within the cordon, estimated to be around 30 properties. These evacuated properties were constructed approximately three years ago on the grounds of an old sand quarry, with locals suspecting the existence of caves beneath the area.
Among those displaced by the sinkhole were Noosh Miri and her family, who were swiftly evacuated by law enforcement. Miri described a frantic scene where a sinkhole appeared right outside their doorstep, prompting a swift exit on direction from the police. Following temporary accommodation arranged by their insurers, Miri anticipates a prolonged absence from their home, estimating it may be “for a good couple of months” before they can return. While water and electricity services have been reinstated, detours are still in effect in the impacted zone, and the repair process is anticipated to stretch over numerous months
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