The Godstone sinkhole one month on
Investigations are still ongoing as to what the cause is and how to solve it
Nearly a month on from when the ground opened up beneath a Surrey street and created a massive sinkhole in Godstone, Tandridge District Council has given an update on the serious situation. Villagers were told by technical teams it could take a year to fix the vast sinkhole that swallowed half the street.
A huge hole appeared on Godstone High Street on February 17 and was quickly declared a major incident due to its seriousness and complexity. Now scaled down to a ‘significant incident’ investigations are still ongoing as to what the cause is and how to solve it.
Highway teams are continuing to work on the site in a situation that is continuing to develop. “There have been some minor collapses around the edge of the hole,” a Tandridge council officer said, describing it as a “fluid situation”. He added the breakages are potentially linked to pouring foam cement into the hole in attempts to stabilise it.
“Hope is not a strategy,” said Councillor Jeremy Pursehouse at a Housing Committee meeting on March 11. He said: “Nobody has actually got to the bottom of this sinkhole and what has caused it yet. We don’t know how long it will take to fix it or anything.”
Questions over insurance
Two Godstone residents had told a councillor that their house sale had fallen through because the potential buyers could not get insurance. Cllr Louise Case asked officers if there is any way the council could offer any information or assistance with the ongoing insurance problem.
Reassuring the committee, Cllr Pursehouse said initially people may be reluctant to buy into Godstone but once the authorities know what caused the sink hole “it should get a bit easier”. He said: “Insurance companies like to make money and sell policies.”
James Devonshire, Head of Housing for Tandridge, said the county council is surveying a wider area which would provide confidence in the long-term to insurance companies. He added that he would go away and consider what else the council can do to support Godstone villagers in that situation.
Temporary homes
Meanwhile, the 30 families who have been evacuated from their homes on the street have either found their own interim accommodation, supported by their insurance for two to six weeks or are being assisted by the council. As the displaced families are essentially homeless, the council has a legal duty to find them temporary accommodation.
Some families may be able to return back to their house sooner than others, officers said. But emphasised it depends on the safety of the site, utilities being connected, site access, structural integrity of the houses and ultimately whether building control says it is safe. Mr Devonshire added that some households are private tenants so if their lease runs out before returning they may need extra support.
Tandridge council has agreed to fund each of the families £500 a week to pay for somewhere to stay, claiming this is the amount typically paid for hotel accommodation. People who want to stay somewhere costing more than £500 per week will need to fund the difference, the council reported.
Up to £800k from Tandridge’s general contingency fund is being set aside to provide temporary accommodation for up to 12 months. Officers said they are purchasing accommodation in blocks of three months to avoid spending too much if families can return back to their homes down the line.
Council tax bills have stopped for the residents who have been evacuated and will only restart when they move back in, according to a report. Business rates have also been put on hold and the council said it is still working to support them.