Le puits géant de Godstone a été réparé 18 mois plus tard, grâce à 1 100 tonnes de coulisse.

A massive 65-foot sinkhole that disrupted life in Godstone, Surrey, for nearly 18 months has finally been sealed and the high street reopened. Engineers used approximately 1,100 tonnes of grout to stabilize the area beneath the road, filling a complex network of Victorian-era mining tunnels discovered during repairs. The road, which had been closed since February 17, 2025, was officially reopened on July 31, 2026, ending years of disruption for residents and businesses. The sinkhole emerged unexpectedly on February 17, 2025, swallowing part of Godstone High Street and causing widespread chaos. Approximately 30 homes were evacuated, and the road became impassable, cutting off one of the town's busiest thoroughfares. Local businesses suffered significantly due to the loss of foot traffic, and residents faced long detours and ongoing construction noise. The situation remained unresolved for over a year and a half, with efforts to repair the damage delayed by the discovery of an extensive 19th-century mine system beneath the surface. Residents expressed relief upon seeing the road reopen. Holly Harrington, a local resident aged 24, walked along the newly restored high street and shared her satisfaction. “We had to take a diversion every time,” she said. “Now it’s great to see the road open again. There are a lot of happy faces and happy drivers.” The repair process involved multiple stages. First, engineers worked to secure the area and assess the extent of the subsidence. Once the Victorian mines were identified, they began injecting grout into the tunnels to prevent further collapse. This painstaking effort required careful planning and execution to avoid damaging nearby infrastructure. After the grouting was complete, damaged water pipes were replaced, and the road and sidewalks were reconstructed to restore normal conditions. Surrey County Council confirmed the completion of the road repair and resurfacing work earlier this month. Matt Furniss, a representative from the council, stated, “We’re delighted that our work to repair and resurface the roads affected by the Godstone road collapse was completed earlier this month.” He thanked residents and businesses for their patience throughout the extended period of disruption. The council emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and stability of the area for both locals and travelers. SES Water, responsible for the water supply in the region, completed the replacement of damaged water mains before the reopening. A spokesperson noted that the project included detailed ground investigations, the installation of new 8-inch and 16-inch water pipes, and final tests to confirm the integrity of the network. They acknowledged the inconvenience caused to residents and road users during the extensive work. Toria Willson, a 50-year-old resident who lived near the affected area, reflected on the challenges posed by the prolonged closure. “It has been a pain for the last year,” she said. “The whole area has become a bit of a car park for lorries and vans. It is just a mess. It is just incredible to think in this country that it has taken such a long time.” With the high street now fully operational, the community can begin to move forward from the ordeal. The successful resolution of the crisis highlights the complexity of dealing with historical infrastructure issues and the need for coordinated efforts among local authorities and utility providers to address such challenges effectively.