Experts bid to devise sinkhole solution as traffic ban continues
Hythe Marina Village (Image: Newsquest)
EXPERTS are battling to devise a solution after a huge sinkhole blocked access to Hythe Marina Village.
Traffic is still banned from going in and out of the 225-home marina amid fears that part of Shamrock Way could collapse.
One option under discussion is the use of a temporary bridge over the damaged section of road.
But people living on the marina have been told that nothing is likely to happen until after the weekend. They have also been warned that any bridge will provide only a partial solution, with vehicle movements restricted to light traffic.
Daily Echo: A large sinkhole has appeared outside the entrance to Hythe Marina Village
A large sinkhole has appeared outside the entrance to Hythe Marina Village (Image: Newsquest.)
Residents and staff employed by businesses based on the marina can still access the site on foot.
But anyone planning to go there over the weekend will have to park in other parts of Hythe and walk to their destination.
A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: "Following an inspection of the road on Thursday, Hampshire Highways has taken steps to limit access into Hythe Marina.
"This is on safety grounds because of extreme corrosion to a drainage culvert that runs under and across the road and footpath.
"The damage has resulted in a large hole which is unstable and likely to worsen at times of high tide. Pedestrian access is continuing.
"Our highways team is on site alongside other response agencies and the owner of the culvert – Hythe Marina - to identify and agree an appropriate repair as soon as possible."
Daily Echo: Traffic is banned from going in and out of the marina amid fears the road could collapse
Traffic is banned from going in and out of the marina amid fears the road could collapse (Image: Newsquest.)
A statement on the Hythe Marina Village Facebook page says: "There has been a failure to sections of the entrance road.
"For safety reasons, we have been instructed that the entire road must be closed.
"Further investigations are required but we are working with The Highways Agency to identify a short-term solution to re-open the road, which may be done with a temporary road bridge.
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"Pedestrian access is unaffected, and all businesses are open as usual."
Shamrock Way goes over a stream that separates West Street, Hythe, from buildings on the western side of the 206-berth marina.
A man walking his dog spotted a gaping hole in the pavement and raised the alarm.
Residents were given a chance to move their cars to other parts of Hythe before access was blocked off and about 200 are thought to have done so.
Hythe councillors are calling for a temporary car park to be provided on the old police station site.