Barnham sinkhole repairs continue as engineers excavate site

West Sussex County Council confirmed that the emergency closure on Barnham Road came into force on Monday, July 13, to enable Southern Water to carry out urgent repairs to the sinkhole.

While the emergency traffic regulation order permits the closure to remain in place for up to 21 days, the county council had previously said it anticipated the work could be completed by Friday, July 17, subject to progress on site.

However, a spokesperson for the council has now confirmed that work remains ongoing.

The spokesperson said on Friday: “Southern Water is continuing repair works on the sinkhole in Barnham Road, Barnham.

“Engineers have now excavated the site to a depth of 1.2 metres and are progressing to the next phase of the operation. This will involve installing specialist shoring equipment to ensure the excavation can be carried out safely.

“Once the shoring is in place, teams will continue digging to approximately 1.5 metres, allowing them to expose the damaged pipe and undertake the necessary repairs.”

An updated timescale has not yet been confirmed.

A public notice issued by the council states that the closure is required for the ‘safety of the public and workforce’, while Southern Water carries out the emergency repair.

The restriction remains in force 24 hours a day, with a signed diversion route in place. Access is being maintained for emergency services, residents and pedestrians within the closed area.

Barnham and Eastergate Parish Council previously shared the update from West Sussex County Council’s highways team, advising residents that the closure was expected to be short-lived, despite the longer legal order.

The latest works follow the reopening of Yapton Road after repairs to a separate sewer-related sinkhole.

Southern Water had previously confirmed it was dealing with two sewer-related sinkholes in the village, with work on Barnham Road scheduled to begin once repairs on Yapton Road were completed.

Residents can check One.Network for the latest information on the closure and any changes to traffic management.

Meanwhile, an investigation has been completed, after a sinkhole was discovered on Maxwell Road in Littlehampton.

A social media post, exactly two weeks after the sinkhole was identified, read: “Investigations and repairs into the sinkhole on Maxwell Road, Littlehampton are now complete and the road has now reopened.”