Road closure after big sinkhole opens up in Gloucester suburb

A five-metre sinkhole has caused the closure of a road through a Gloucester suburb ^[1]. Gloucester highways teams and water company Severn Trent are investigating the sinkhole which forced the closure of Church Road, Longlevens, on Monday, May 22. A spokesperson for Severn Trent said teams are being sent to the site to check for signs of any possible damage to water pipes.

The road has been closed, according to local residents, and some reports indicate it may be closed for some time, given the estimated size of the hole that has opened up. According to witnesses, the pavement remains accessible, but the road has been closed to vehicles.

A local resident told GloucestershireLive the sinkhole stretches to five metres in diameter and lies underneath most of the road. They said: "Sink hole on church road. Highways have said it’s a five-metre void and it appears to be under most of the road. Lots of worried parents with regards to the school access and GP ^[2]."

A spokesperson for Severn Trent said: "We’re aware that highways teams have been investigating a sinkhole on Church Road in Longlevens, and our teams will be attending the site as soon as possible to check our assets in the area to see if any damage has been caused. We will continue to work closely with the highways teams in their investigation work."

Gloucestershire County Council has been contacted for more information. The BBC is reporting that Church Road will be closed until June 5.

References

^{^} sinkhole has caused the closure of a road through a Gloucester suburb (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
^{^} Lots of worried parents with regards to the school access and GP (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
^{^} Lorry incident closes Gloucester city centre road near The Docks (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)