Key Points
- A significant sinkhole has appeared on Church Street, Westhoughton, causing major disruption to local businesses and residents.
- The sinkhole, which began as a small hole, now covers half the street, forcing road closures and deterring customers from visiting the area.
- Business owners, including Matt Betts of MB Shoe Repairs, report a dramatic drop in trade, with customer numbers halved since the incident.
- West Sussex County Council attributes the delay in repairs to an unmarked private drainage pipe complicating the situation.
- Excavation work has further increased the size of the sinkhole, and the road remains closed for safety reasons, though access to traders is possible from either end of the street.
- Local councillor Claudia Fisher highlights the negative impact on the area's economy and calls for urgent resolution.
- The council assures residents and businesses that efforts are ongoing to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
A sinkhole that has expanded to cover half of Church Street in Westhoughton is causing ongoing disruption for residents and businesses, with local traders reporting a sharp decline in footfall and turnover as the road closure continues.
What Has Happened on Church Street, Westhoughton?
According to a report by BBC News, a sinkhole first appeared on Church Street in Storrington two months ago, initially the size of a tennis ball, but has since grown to cover half the street, prompting road closures and significant disruption to local businesses and residents. Matt Betts, owner of MB Shoe Repairs, told BBC News that his trade has dropped by almost half since the sinkhole appeared, stating,
"The biggest issue is that no one is coming up this street anymore. They drive up the high street and see the road closed sign and decide to go somewhere else".
How Are Local Businesses and Residents Affected?
Matt Betts explained to BBC News that the usual high turnover of cars parking outside his shop has dwindled, with only one customer an hour now being a common occurrence. Customers had previously made use of the 20 minutes free parking, but the road closure has deterred many from visiting. Staff at Number 13 Thai restaurant also reported to the BBC that their trade was down compared to the previous December.
Local councillor Claudia Fisher commented to BBC News,
"It's a thriving area. People like to come here. Now it's not easily accessible for people, which has really impacted some businesses' turnover".
What Is Complicating the Repairs?
A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council (WSCC) told BBC News that an unmarked private drainage pipe has "complicated the situation," making it more challenging to carry out repairs. The spokesperson explained,
"This pipe does not currently connect to an existing sewer, which has complicated the situation. To determine the cause, the sinkhole had to be excavated, which has further increased its size".
What Steps Are Authorities Taking?
The WSCC spokesperson assured the public,
"We understand how disruptive this has been for residents and local businesses, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, and we are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible".
The road remains closed for safety reasons, but access to traders is possible from either end of the street.
How Does This Compare to Other Recent Sinkhole Incidents in the UK?
The disruption in Westhoughton echoes similar incidents across the UK. For example, as reported by Richard Stead and Paul Burnell of BBC News, a major commuter road in Prestwich, Bury, was closed after a sinkhole spanning 110 feet was discovered, prompting a "thorough investigation" and the implementation of diversions until further notice. In Godstone, Surrey, a massive 60-foot sinkhole led to the evacuation of about 30 buildings due to fears of gas explosions, as covered by The Washington Times and The Independent34. Residents were left without running water after a water main burst, and SES Water distributed bottled water while repairs were underway.
In Godstone, residents expressed frustration with communication from authorities. Nicola and Damian Styles, who were evacuated, told the Shropshire Star that they had to rely on social media for updates, with Mrs Styles stating,
"No one’s organised the communications, or keeping the residents informed. They should have really given us a help desk number to call, or something".
Tracey Jones, who took in her evacuated family, described the situation as "an absolute nightmare. Dreadful".
What Are the Broader Implications for Communities?
The repeated emergence of sinkholes in various parts of the UK highlights the vulnerability of local infrastructure and the significant impact on communities and businesses. As seen in Westhoughton, Storrington, Prestwich, and Godstone, the economic and social effects can be severe, with businesses losing customers, residents facing evacuation, and essential services disrupted.
What Is the Outlook for Church Street, Westhoughton?
While excavation and repair works are ongoing, there is no clear timeline for when Church Street will reopen fully. The council continues to urge patience, promising that every effort is being made to resolve the issue and restore normality for residents and businesses. In the meantime, traders like Matt Betts and others are left to contend with the financial fallout and uncertainty until the sinkhole is repaired and the road is once again accessible.