Littlehampton sinkhole: Southern Water explains what needs to happen before it can begin 'reinstating the road'

A damaged water pipe ‘caused a hole in the road surface’ in Capstan Drive, Littlehampton on February 26.

More than two months on, work to reinstate the road is yet to begin. The road will continue to stay closed ‘to keep everyone safe’.

A spokesperson for Southern Water said on Wednesday, May 7: “We’re sorry for the disruption this incident has continued to cause customers in and around Capstan Drive, Littlehampton.

“We have now relined a large section of sewer and will begin demobilising the site and dismantling equipment from May 12, after this we will be reinstating the road which is likely to take around a further four weeks to complete.”

After the leak happened, tankers, temporary pumps and pipes were used to manage the incident.

Sewer cleaning and extensive CCTV surveys had to be carried out before repairs works could start.

Works began in mid-March and the engineers were able to complete the first stage of the work – which involved jetting the sewers – before then digging down to the pipe.

However, after digging down to the pipe, asbestos was discovered.

A spokesperson for Southern Water explained: “This is very common on old pipework. We would like to reassure customers that there are no health and safety risks and the asbestos is contained.

"This does mean that we will need specialist teams on site to help move the repair works forward.

“Given the age of the pipework, we needed specialist teams for the repair phase. The pipe repair is now scheduled to start on Tuesday (April 22).

“It remains a complex repair and we anticipate that completing the works safely will take a number of days.”

On April 24, Southern Water said it was ‘moving toward providing a better understanding’ of the anticipated completion of the repair.

Teams have been speaking regularly with the customers living close to this work and ‘this will continue as we go through this final phase of work’, Southern Water said.

The latest information sent to customers read: “To reduce the risk of flooding and pollution to the local environment, we installed temporary over-ground pumps and pipes in the area. We have contractors attending site on Monday, May 12, to start demobilising the site, this will include dismantling the pumps and pipework.

“Capstan Drive will continue to stay closed to keep everyone safe

“You’ll be able to use your water and wastewater services as normal

“We’ll do our best to accommodate access for residents but there may be a short wait whilst we make the area safe for you to enter.”

Southern Water said customers will ‘notice additional vehicles and activity’ while ‘we demobilise the site’.

The customer notice added: “We’ll be on site Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm, and occasionally we may need to work at the weekend

“We will require the use of a crane which means Coniston Way will be closed [from] May 12 to May 14, from 8am to 5pm.

“There will be some noisy machinery as well as lighting needed to help us to dismantle equipment. We’ll try to keep noise to a minimum and we’ll make sure it stops by 6pm.”

If you’d like to receive updates on Southern Water’s progress, you can sign up to receive text alerts at southernwater.co.uk/alert

The water company added: “If you have any questions or concerns, please email [email protected]. If you’d prefer to speak to us, please call 0330 303 0368 and quote reference WCS5149700.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience whilst we undertake this essential work.”