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Work to fix mystery hole that opened up in Grovehurst Road in Kemsley could take days

A Sittingbourne road could stay closed all weekend after a large hole opened up in the carriageway.

The mystery chasm closed Grovehurst Road, in Kemsley, in both directions when it emerged yesterday afternoon.

Highways crews are today working to fix the void - believed to be about 2ft by 2ft.

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Grovehurst Road, Kemsley, was closed in both directions after this hole opened up
Grovehurst Road, Kemsley, was closed in both directions after this hole opened up

The road will remain shut today and possibly over the weekend.

Drivers called police at 4.30pm yesterday after spotting what initially looked like a large pothole.

The road was closed from Bramblefield Road to the slip road off the A249 for Iwade and Kemsley.

Railings have been put up around the hole that emerged in Kemsley
Railings have been put up around the hole that emerged in Kemsley

A Kent Highways spokesman said the road will remain closed "until further notice" because of a "large void in the carriageway".

Couple Chris and Rosemary Hayward of Bramblefield Lane, Kemsley, came to see it for themselves this morning.

Mr Hayward, 64, said: "There's been a lot of problems with this road over the last few years with water leaks and there's been a lot of repairs on the corner of Grovehurst Road and Bramblefield Lane.

"It's been going on about five or six years. They dig it up every so often cover it up and go away again. Apparently there's lots of water at the bottom of it. I'm sure they'll put it right."

Workers closed a stretch of Grovehurst Road after a hole opened up
Workers closed a stretch of Grovehurst Road after a hole opened up

A woman, whose driveway is in front of the hole, said: "I do night shifts so I'll have to use public transport to get to work later as I can't get the car off the driveway.

"I went into Sittingbourne at about 4.45pm yesterday to pick my son up and do some shopping and when I got home it was taped off outside the house so I wondered what had gone on.

"I was surprised when I found out it was a hole."

Kemsley couple Chris and Rosemary Hayward by the hole
Kemsley couple Chris and Rosemary Hayward by the hole

Meanwhile, there are further problems created by the closing off of Millen Road just 1.4 miles away.

Police officers have shut it at the junctions with Church Street and St Paul's Street as Southern Water engineers try to fix a leak.

Video: The hole in Grovehurst Road


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