Calls to urgently repair 'dangerous' St Leonards sinkhole in road

Maze Hill councillors Andy Patmore and Graeme Williams said the hole keeps appearing in Pevensey Road and added that drivers’ safety was being ‘compromised’.

They said Pevensey Road is a busy through route and is served by buses number 23 and 31.

They added that the hole appeared in the summer but, despite regular reporting from the councillors, nothing has been done.

With heavy rain flooding the town centre, water has been gushing unabated into the cavern under the road, they said.

Cllr Williams said: “The safety of road users is being compromised because the works are not lit at night and we don’t know the extent of the void under the road.”

Cllr Andy Patmore said: “The road is used by heavy goods vehicles and buses. Highways must take immediate action to repair the sinkhole but also find out why the road surface is constantly collapsing here.

“This is not a pothole, my arm completely disappeared into the void up to my shoulder and I still didn’t touch the bottom.”

An East Sussex Highways spokesperson said: “We are aware of the void on Pevensey Road, which has been made safe. Investigations to determine the extent of the work required to fully repair it have been completed and repairs are due to take place on November 13.”