Latest news with #sinkholes
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Business 'left in the dark' over sinkhole repairs
Council officials are to be questioned about plans to fix sinkholes that swallowed a large part of a Surrey road, as a local business claimed people were not being given timely public meeting organised by Tandridge District Council and Surrey County Council Highways aims to detail when Godstone High Street will be repaired after sinkholes – one 20 metres in length – appeared in February. It comes as one affected business owner told the BBC he feels "left in the dark" about what is being done to fix the partially collapsed road. "This continues to be a highly complex incident," said Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth at Surrey County Council. He added that "thorough investigations" were needed to understand what caused the collapse and repair it fully and effectively. "We hope to have the road re-opened during December this year, but our focus will be on ensuring the road is safe to use so the exact date will be confirmed once we are fully assured of this," Mr Furniss added. 'Minimise the impact' Shane Fry, who runs the DD Services garage on the high street, told the BBC ahead of the meeting that his business had had to adapt to "stay afloat". He urged authorities to offer a clear timetable about when road repairs will be finished at the meeting."They said they would keep us up to date, but this hasn't happened," Mr Fry said, adding that he felt "left in the dark". "We need to know. It will benefit everyone in the area," he County Council said it was continuing to update local residents and businesses as it progressed through each stage of the process. "We're also looking at how we can minimise the impact on local businesses while the necessary road closures are in place," said Mr Furniss. Councillor Catherine Sayer, leader of Tandridge District Council, said local authorities wanted to get "all the information out there as soon as it is available". She told the BBC: "We obviously know it has been an awful time for people. But, as far as I can see, things are moving as fast as they can."She said she believes the meeting will tell the public what they want to know about how road repairs are progressing and offer a timeline."The key thing is to get everything back to normal as quickly as possible," she said. "Businesses need business as usual."
CBS News
17-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
I-80 in N.J. set to partially reopen after sinkhole repairs, DOT says
Finally, some welcome news for drivers who use I-80 in New Jersey. The state's Department of Transportation says two eastbound lanes will reopen next week. A section of I-80, also known as State Route 80, has been shut down in Wharton for months after sinkholes formed and voids were found under the highway. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency over the situation, and residents who live nearby have raised concerns and reported cracks in their buildings. Officials blamed the holes, in part, on mineshafts under the roadway, and the governor said approximately 400 were being investigated around the region. Timeline for I-80 sinkhole closure The Department of Transportation says two eastbound lanes are scheduled to reopen Tuesday, May 20. Two westbound lanes are scheduled to reopen by the end of the month, and the roadway is expected to fully reopen in both directions by June 25. The westbound lanes were previously scheduled to reopen on May 4, but drilling work near the Route 15 Bridge took longer than expected, the DOT said last month. Officials said the recent heavy rain also impacted their schedule, but crews are working around the clock on both sides of the highway to finish the job. In the meantime, the state urges drivers to check its traffic information website for alternate routes while the repairs continue. Earlier this week, officials said another hole opened up on I-80 when a sewer basin collapsed under the eastbound side, near Exit 37 in Rockaway.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Godstone sinkhole repair plans to be discussed at public meeting
A public meeting is being held to outline the plan to fix sinkholes which appeared in a Surrey high street earlier in the February, sinkholes appeared in Godstone High Street, one of which was 65ft (20m) in length, forcing 30 families to leave their homes and some businesses to almost all households and businesses have returned, there has continued to be local disruption because of work to investigate and repair the road public meeting, jointly led by Tandridge District Council (TDC) and Surrey County Council, is being held on 5 June at St Nicholas Youth Centre in the village. The meeting is set to provide an update about the work that has taken place and outline the plan and timeline for repairing the Sayer, leader of TDC, said: "We know residents and businesses are keen to find out what the long-term plan is to repair the road."The council said the impact of the road collapse had led to increased concern about other traffic-related issues in the village, but there would not be enough time to discuss general topics at the meeting.
