Sheringham sinkhole sewage pipe damage thought to be ‘significant’
Anglian Water engineers have reached a damaged sewage pipe, after digging eight metres below the surface of the Sheringham sinkhole.Picture: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Anglian Water engineers working to repair the sinkhole which opened up in Sheringham town centre five weeks ago have dug down to a depth of eight metres beneath the void to reach a damaged sewage pipe.
Anglian Water engineers have reached a damaged sewage pipe, after digging eight metres below the surface of the Sheringham sinkhole.Picture: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
The next step will be to assess the full extent of the damage - which is believed to be significant - and plan the necessary repair.
Sheringham deputy mayor Liz Withington, who has been providing regular updates to townsfolk and traders, hoped engineers would soon be able to give a clear idea of when the work would be finished and the road surface reinstated.
"Anglian Water are continuing to work seven days a week and teams have worked longer hours in order to ensure the work is being completed as fast as possible," she said.
Two businesses forced to close temporarily after the pavement was fenced off have now re-opened, with a scaffolding tunnel providing access to pedestrians.
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High Street businesses continue to be affected by a lack of access however, with refuse and recycling vehicles unable to reach their premises because of low bridges on alternative routes.
"The town council has resolved this with support from North Norfolk District Council, who have come up with a temporary solution," Mrs Withington said, adding that delivery lorries were experiencing similar issues.
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Parking problems have also been addressed, with NNDC offering 30 minutes' free parking in Morris Street to make up for the loss of spaces in High Street, while new signage funded by Anglian Water and Norfolk County Council is due to be put in place shortly.
Mrs Withington said that the site would be quieter over the weekend as engineers would be working to clear a large amount of debris from the damaged pipe.
She added: "The town is very much looking forward to the Potty Festival this weekend and, shortly after, the Harleys will be riding into town, so with the sun shining and some fantastic events to look forward to, plus our independent and interesting high street, Sheringham is very much open for business."
Sheringham Potty Morris and Folk Festival runs on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit www.pottyfestival.com
Other forthcoming events include the North Norfolk Railway bus rally and vintage transport event, also taking place this weekend, the carnival raft race on July 21, Sheringham Golf Club classic car show on July 22 and the Harley Davidson ride-out on July 27. For more information, visit www.sheringhamcarnival.com
