A SINKHOLE appeared in the middle of a residential street in Bournemouth on Thursday morning - forcing emergency services to close the road on safety grounds.

Residents said it was lucky the hole was reported early, as because of its position - in the middle of a junction - it would have been dangerous for motorists and cyclists.

The hole, which appears to have opened up due to a collapsed sewer at the junction of Howeth Road and Dowlands Road, East Howe, was around six feet deep with flowing sewage at the bottom.

Dorset Police, Bournemouth Borough Council’s Emergency Response Team, and Wessex Water engineers attended the scene.

A Wessex Water spokesperson told the Echo they would be using a specialist camera to investigate the damage caused, before working to repair the sewer.

Yesterday, a Wessex Water spokesman said: “We are carrying out emergency repairs in Howeth Road to fix a collapsed sewer after a hole was reported to us at 8.30am today and our repair team was on site within half an hour.

“In the interests of safety, the police closed the residential road, which is expected to be reopened later today.

“Two-way temporary traffic will be in place while engineers carry out emergency repairs, which are due to be completed by the end of this weekend.

“Customers in the area can continue to use their water and sewerage services as normal.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”