Residents evacuated as 65ft sinkhole disrupts Godstone High Street
Incident Overview
A significant incident has unfolded in the village of Godstone, Surrey, where a massive sinkhole measuring approximately 65 feet (20 meters) has emerged on Godstone High Street. The situation escalated late Monday night, prompting local authorities to declare a major incident and evacuate several properties in the vicinity.
Emergency services swiftly established a 100-meter cordon around the affected area to ensure the safety of residents and passersby.
Emergency Response and Evacuations
Surrey Police took immediate action by closing Godstone High Street following reports of the sinkhole. The local council has urged residents to steer clear of the area while repair operations are underway.
A spokesperson from SES Water confirmed that a burst water main was responsible for the sinkhole’s formation, exacerbating the situation for local residents. Emergency teams, alongside utility providers, are currently on-site, working diligently to address the issue and restore normalcy.
Impact on Local Community
The burst water main has significantly disrupted water supplies to homes in the area, leaving many residents without access to essential services. SES Water has expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and is actively rerouting water from its network to restore supply to affected customers. Meanwhile, Surrey Police have advised anyone in the vicinity to adhere to the instructions of emergency personnel, as a large presence of emergency services remains in the area. The road closure is expected to last for an extended period, and residents are encouraged to avoid the location to facilitate repair efforts.
