Large sinkhole appears in Rustington

Jonathan Bulezuik, who took photos of the sinkhole this morning, said it was third to have appeared in Overstrand Avenue during the last few years.

He was out walking his dog at around 7.30am when he came across the hole, which he believes had only appeared an hour or two earlier.

“It was collapsing as I was filming it,” he said.

He said there was a drain underneath the ground which had burst, eroding at the earth until it fell through.

Mr Bulezuik said the first sinkhole appeared in the same area a few years ago, and the second late last year – each time edging closer towards the road.

“They repair the bit that’s broken and then another bit breaks,” he said.

Mr Bulezuik said he believed the sewage pipe needed replacing completely, but said: “That would be a huge job.”

A spokesman from Southern Water said: “We are aware of a sinkhole at Overstrand Avenue in Rustington and one our Field Investigation Technicians visited the site this morning to make an initial survey.

“The area is cordoned off and the case has been categorised high priority with our delivery partners, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

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