One Barnham road reopens but another closes amid sinkhole repair works

West Sussex Highways has confirmed that Barnham Road is now closed to allow Southern Water to repair a sinkhole, just days after Yapton Road reopened following repairs to a separate sewer-related collapse.

In an update at 10am on Monday (July 13), the highways authority said: "Barnham Road is now closed while Southern Water undertakes works to repair the sinkhole in the carriageway."

West Sussex Highways had announced the planned closure last week, saying it was necessary for the safety of both road users and workers on site.

The authority said further updates would be shared as work progresses.

The sinkhole on Barnham Road developed outside a barber shop near the village pharmacy, where temporary traffic lights had previously been in place while Southern Water prepared to begin repairs.

According to roadworks information, published on the One.Network website, the closure is in place to allow Southern Water to carry out repair works.

Meanwhile, Yapton Road reopened at 3pm on Friday, after Southern Water completed repairs to a separate sinkhole.

In an update at 3.45pm, West Sussex Highways said: "Southern Water have completed work to repair the sinkhole on Yapton Road, Barnham and from 3pm today have reopened the road.

"We appreciate your patience while the necessary closure was in place."

Yapton Road had been closed since June 30 after a sinkhole opened opposite the junction leading to Barnham Community Hall.

Southern Water repaired a damaged sewer before reconstructing the road surface and stabilising the ground.

A Southern Water spokesperson previously said: "Our teams are working to repair two sewer-related sinkholes in Barnham, at Yapton Road and Barnham Road.

"At Yapton Road, a damaged sewer has been repaired and work is now underway to reinstate the site and stabilise the ground. In Barnham Road, a separate sewer leak is being managed by tankers ahead of a permanent repair, which will begin once work in Yapton Road is complete.

"We're sorry for any disruption these works are causing customers and businesses in the area."

Before Yapton Road reopened, Southern Water said there was a slight delay. ‘High temperatures’ meant it was ‘taking time to demobilise, as its taking longer for tarmac to set’.

Meanwhile, a separate sinkhole discovered on Maxwell Road in Littlehampton earlier this month was found not to be related to Southern Water's wastewater network.