Council Investigate Possible Watford Sink Hole

10 March 2014, 12:21 | Updated: 10 March 2014, 12:29

St John’s Road in Watford is closed to traffic so investigations can be carried out into the cause of a hole which has appeared in the road.

Preliminary investigations have been carried out this week, but had to be stopped as there were concerns about undermining the road and footway any further.

A geotechnical engineer present during the investigations advised that there is a possibility that a sink hole exists deep down in the underlying chalk.

Further investigations will begin tomorrow (Tuesday) when it will be shut for 24 hours a day until completion.

The investigations will include excavating a hole from the pavement to the middle of the road. This will require the road being closed for all traffic. Full diversions will be in place.

It is possible that by exposing the hole and then subsequently back-filling, this will cure the problem. If this is the case, the road is likely to be closed for up to four days. A small section will be resurfaced upon completion.

Terry Douris, Cabinet Member for Highways told Heart: "I am aware of the importance of this road and we apologise for any inconvenience that these urgent works may cause residents and road users. It is vital that this work is carried out without delay to ensure everyone’s safety. We will do our very best to keep disruption to a minimum, but we are aware of the impact that these roadworks will inevitably have."