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In the Surrey village of Godstone, engineers investigating the collapse of Godstone High Street have uncovered a network of Victorian sand mining tunnels near the site. The discovery of these eight-meter deep tunnels provides a potential clue as to why the street collapsed in February. Businesses in the area have expressed frustration over the lack of communication regarding repair plans for the massive sinkhole, with some reporting significant drops in income.
During a public meeting held in the village, authorities stated their aim to have the road reopened by December of this year. Lloyd Allen, infrastructure manager at Surrey County Council, explained that the ongoing investigation into the Victorian tunnels will help determine the extent and possible causes of the sinkhole collapse. Although the discovery of these tunnels sheds light on the situation, Allen mentioned that there are still multiple scenarios that could have led to the collapse.
Local business owners like Shane Fry of DD Services and Will McLean of Dorwyn Ltd have voiced the financial impact of the sinkhole on their establishments. Fry mentioned a significant decrease in income, while McLean reported a reduction in footfall of up to 70%, severely impacting their operations. Sami Bristow, owner of Blossoms coffee shop, also shared the struggles of decreased takings due to the lack of foot traffic caused by the road closure. Surrey County Council’s focus remains on ensuring the road’s safety for public use before confirming a reopening date.
Residents attending the meeting expressed their distress over the disruption caused by the sinkhole, with one woman describing the experience as “really, really distressing”. Concerns were raised about the lack of communication from authorities, as well as issues like water supply billing during the evacuation period. Additionally, a call for speed limits in the village was met with applause, highlighting fears of potential accidents in the area
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