A ROAD where a sinkhole appeared in Bournemouth will be closed for more than two weeks as workmen repair the damage. 

As reported, the sinkhole appeared “suddenly” on Monday, April 3 in Grove Road at East Cliff – prompting residents to divert motorists around the one-metre deep hole. 

Wessex Water has since closed the road and repair work for the hole, believed to have been caused by a collapsed barrier, will last until Friday, April 21. 

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “We’re carrying out emergency sewer repairs in Grove Road, with a road closure in place until 21 April for the safety of road users and our workforce. 

Bournemouth Echo:

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this work, which hasn’t affected customers’ water or sewerage services.” 

Steve Rowland, who has his own gardening contracting business and was working nearby, discovered the sinkhole on Monday morning and said it is “the biggest one he has ever seen”. 

Read more: 'I've never seen one like this': Residents divert motorists around a sinkhole

He said: “I’ve never seen a sinkhole like this. At first, I thought it was a pothole until I saw it closer. 

“The council said it was a collapsed barrier and four vans turned up to attend to it. I’m told the soil had gone through a broken pipe.  

Bournemouth Echo:

“I was driving on the road to get some equipment and initially thought it was a pothole. There was a cone already in the road.” 

Investigation work will be carried out by Wessex Water. 

BCP Council urges people to report potholes and other highway issues via the BCP Council website Potholes, damaged roads or footpaths (bcpcouncil.gov.uk).