Another sinkhole has opened up in the city centre.
The road in Robert Street, Brighton, opened up earlier this week with council engineers scrambling to make it safe - fencing off the road and covering the hole with wooden planks.
It came just months after a previous sinkhole, metres away, was filled in after Brighton and Hove City Council discovered poor-quality utility works were responsible for the collapse.
Southern Water was handed the repair bill after emergency works to fill in the void below the surface - and now Southern Water bosses could have to fork out for repairs yet again.
Cllr Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, said: “We believe this new sinkhole is another caused by the previous failed utility trench in Robert Street.
"It had sunk over time and left a void below the surfacing of the road.
“This sinkhole is in a different part of the road to the area which had previously been damaged and repaired, but we do not believe there is any risk to nearby properties.
“We have invoiced Southern Water for the previous repairs and will do so again if this turns out to be another sinkhole caused by their utility trench."
Drivers are being diverted down other nearby roads to avoid making the hole worse, leading to a risk of cars and pedestrians falling down it.
Cllr Muten added: "We understand this must be frustrating for residents and apologise for any inconvenience.
"We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible and will continue to make it clear to utility companies and their contractors that we expect the very highest standards of work on our city’s streets.”
Disappointing that @SouthernWater have done this botch job after digging up the road.
— Bella Sankey (@BellaSankey) August 14, 2024
We’re asking them to sort it out. https://t.co/IwIZ07JOSZ
Council leader Bella Sankey recently raised concerns over "botched" repairs by Southern Water to a road near Seven Dials, repairing only part of the zebra crossing they dug up.
She demanded the water company "sort it out" as part of her war on organisations impacting the look of the city.
The water company told the BBC it apologised for the low standard of works and will fix the road again.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel