Spaniel saved by fire and rescue in Kent from sinkhole
A vast sinkhole measuring six feet wide and ten foot in depth has appeared in the middle of a busy street - enraging nearby homeowners who say they are “sick and fed-up” at what is just the latest in a string of similar incidents.
The ground gave way to the massive chamber today on Heywood Road, Prestwich, Greater Manchester.
Traffic came to a standstill as a result of the collapsed road surface, with a perimeter set up around it by police and locals.
And locals in the street vented their anger at the poor quality of the road running past their properties, where most are valued at around ￡300,000.
One said: "This has happened quite a few times, further up. Neighbours are sick and fed up with it.
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The sinkhole, in Prestwich, is six foot wide and ten feet deep (Image: SWNS)
"Even though it's a residential area, this is like a main road. Cars drive too fast and the council are doing nothing to slow traffic down."
He continued: "I heard when this started going because I could hear the undersides of cars being hit.
"I phoned Bury Council and the police and put some bins around it. It was when I went back to take a picture that I saw the bins sinking.
"We had to get people's attention, so the bins have been put out by residents and someone who works in construction nearby got the tape."
Part of the street was cordoned off this morning (Image: SWNS)
Cllr Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations on Bury Council, said a water company should take responsibility for the sinkhole.
And he also called on the government to provide more funding for road maintenance in the local area.
Mr Quinn said: "We phoned United Utilities, we believe it to be their issue. They will come down.
"Council engineers were on it straight away. Barriers are up.
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The sinkhole appeared after recent heavy rains (Image: SWNS)
"The only problem is Prestwich is built on sand, so if there is a leak the water can wash the sand away and lead to collapse.
"We have had a few in the area, the last one was at the junction.
"We have just had this superstorm and United Utilities are stretched because of global warming.
"We need the government to provide more funding."
Residents put wheelie bins in the road to stop motorists driving into the hole (Image: SWNS)
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A spokesman from the Bury Council added: "This is a collapsed sewer, and United Utilities will be dealing with that.
"The road has been blocked off and diversions put in place via Heys Road and Bury Old Road and vice versa.
"The duration required for the closure is unknown at the moment."
A spokesperson from United Utilities said: "A sinkhole has been reported to us on Heywood Road in Prestwich and our engineers will be attending to investigate."
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