Godstone sinkhole linked to burst water main, engineers say

---

A sinkhole that emerged on Godstone High Street in Surrey six months ago has been attributed to a burst water main, according to engineers involved in the repairs. The collapse has led to ongoing efforts to map out the extensive network of sand mines beneath the village, although the precise cause of the sinkhole has yet to be determined. Repair work on the road is expected to continue until at least December as engineers face challenges in detecting underground caverns, with a recent reopening of a section of pavement providing a glimmer of progress amid the disruption.

Lloyd Allen, infrastructure manager for Surrey County Council overseeing the repair work, stated that the initial water main burst resulted in a significant crater in the road. Despite this, the exact trigger for the burst remains unknown. Immediate inspections upon discovery of the sinkhole revealed a substantial volume of water disappearing underground, prompting a lengthy investigation process. Boreholes exceeding depths of 30m were drilled into the sandstone beneath the village to search for tunnels, a process likened to the game Battleships due to its hit-or-miss nature amidst complexities such as underground utilities.

Residents of Godstone have been aware of the underground tunnel network for decades, originating from sand excavation in the 1800s to supply glass-makers. Unauthorized tunnels formed by property owners further complicated the situation, presenting challenges for SCC engineers navigating the network. The unprecedented engineering situation has caused disruptions to the normal flow of traffic, with an elaborate diversion now required to circumvent the sinkhole’s geographical split in the village. Despite efforts to fill in the sinkhole, businesses like the Hare & Hounds pub continue to suffer from reduced foot traffic, highlighting the enduring impact of the geological phenomenon

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

---