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Huge sinkhole in Martens Avenue, Bexleyheath to take up to six weeks to repair

By: Sean Delaney sdelaney@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 12:23, 27 June 2022

Updated: 14:02, 27 June 2022

A section of residential road swallowed up by a huge sinkhole could remain shut for up to six weeks.

The gaping void – estimated to be five metres deep – opened up in Martens Avenue, Bexleyheath last week.

Work to fix a huge sinkhole which opened up in Martens Avenue, Bexleyheath could take up to six weeks to fix, Bexley council estimates. Photo: Bexley council

Police and fire crews were called to the street at the junction with Watling Street/London Road headed towards Dartford on Tuesday evening.

The hole caused the road to collapse and power was shut off to some neighbours due to extensive damage underground.

Thames Water worked overnight on Wednesday to restore services.

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Council engineers are also working with contractors to clear the site, repair the damage and arrange for the road and footpaths to be restored.

Crews worked extended hours over the weekend to remove material from the hole including a motorbike that was reportedly left by an unsuspecting driver who spotted the sinkhole at the last minute and tried and failed to jump the chasm.

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Police cordoned off the road after the sinkhole opened up. Picture: Liam Edwards/PA
A cordon has been put in place around the huge sinkhole which opened up in the middle of Martens Avenue, Bexleyheath last week. Photo: Mike Stevens

From today Thames Water will start replacing the damaged sewers.

In an update posted online, Bexley council estimated the works could take more than a month to fix.

"The council’s engineers currently estimate that it will take about six weeks to clear the site, fill the hole, repair Thames Water’s pipes below the ground and then re-lay the road surface and footpaths," they said.

"They have employed specialist companies to carry out a ground survey of the area to identify any other locations of concern.

"Local residents will be updated on the progress of the work.

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"We are sorry for the inconvenience caused while the repairs are taking place."

Contractors are on site to fix the huge sinkhole near Dartford. Photo: Bexley council

There were no reports of any injuries but the the collapsed area – which spans the entire width of the entire street – means a cordon remains in place for pedestrian safety.

Neighbours described hearing a "crash bang" on the night of the incident followed by the arrival of the emergency services.

Resident Mark Joynes, 38, said: "About 9pm I heard a massive crash bang and looked out the window and there was a massive hole in the road.

"It was completely out of the blue. I had driven over it just a couple of hours ago so thankfully no one was hurt."

It comes shortly after a collapsed water sewer was reported nearby in Crayford Road next to the drive-thru McDonalds, near Dartford – just six months after it occurred in the same spot.

Repair work to fix the collapsed water sewer started last month and is not due to finish until July 6 adding to existing traffic woes.

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