GODSTONE, ENGLAND – Residents of Godstone, a village in Surrey, have been evacuated after a large sinkhole emerged on Godstone High Street. The sinkhole, which was first reported on the night of Monday, February 17, has expanded to approximately 65 feet in diameter, according to the BBC.
Evacuations and Safety Measures
Authorities have confirmed that all residents in the affected area have been safely evacuated. Emergency response teams have secured the site, and experts are assessing the stability of the surrounding structures.
Tracey Jones, a local resident, expressed her distress over the situation. “It’s an absolute nightmare. Dreadful,” she told the Associated Press. Jones’ daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were among those forced to leave their homes.
Potential Causes of the Sinkhole
Experts believe that the sinkhole may have been triggered by a ruptured water main. Philip Collins, deputy dean of engineering at Brunel University of London and an expert in geology and geotechnical engineering, explained the possible reasons behind the collapse. “One of the contributing factors is the local geology, which consists of sand. The land was previously used as a sand quarry, located just west of the sinkhole,” Collins said.
He further elaborated, stating that while compacted sand can be strong, it becomes weak when exposed to excessive moisture, particularly if there is water pressure from underground sources. Officials have not reported any abandoned mines near the site.
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Infrastructure Concerns and Emergency Response
Authorities evacuated the area out of an abundance of caution, warning that continued expansion of the sinkhole could lead to structural collapses and potential gas line ruptures.
At 9:40 a.m. local time on February 19, SES Water, the utility provider for east Surrey, West Sussex, west Kent, and south London, confirmed that overnight efforts to restore water supply were successful.
“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience as our teams worked as part of a multi-agency response to the sinkhole. Our bottled water station at our Godstone Treatment Works site will now close,” SES Water stated.
Water Safety Advisory
Due to the potential disturbance of sediment in the water mains, SES Water advised residents that they may notice discoloration, changes in taste, or odor in their tap water. However, the company assured customers that there are no health risks associated with drinking the water.
The company also expressed gratitude to the Local Resilience Forum, led by Surrey County Council, for coordinating response efforts. They assured evacuated residents that efforts are underway to fully restore services and ensure their needs are met.
Ongoing Monitoring and Future Precautions
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further ground instability. Structural engineers and geologists are conducting investigations to determine long-term mitigation strategies.
Residents have been urged to stay updated through official government and emergency service announcements as recovery efforts continue.
