Godstone

2025 - 2 - 19

Godstone's Sinkhole So Big, Even Sherlock Would Be Stumped!

evacuations - geological phenomenon - Godstone - ground erosion - limestone - major incident - sinkhole - Surrey County Council - water main

A massive sinkhole in Godstone has swallowed a portion of the High Street, leading to a major incident declaration. Is this a case for the baffling detective?

In an unexpected twist worthy of a detective novel, the quaint village of Godstone found itself thrust into the limelight due to a gigantic sinkhole that has appeared, sparking both concern and curiosity. On a typical Monday night, local residents returned to a shocking sight on Godstone High Street: a yawning chasm that has now extended to over 20 metres long. As if the hole had a mind of its own, it didn’t stop there; a second, smaller sinkhole joined the party, leading Surrey County Council to swiftly declare a major incident. As the news spread, the picturesque village transformed into a surprising hub of drama, with drone footage capturing the extent of the geological disturbance.

Local authorities have cordoned off the affected area, blocking access between Oxted Road and Bletchingley Road as engineers scramble to assess the situation. Residents, clearly bewildered, have expressed mixed reactions ranging from concern about safety to the sheer spectacle of this geological wonder. With reports stating that the initial sinkhole was likely triggered by a water pipe burst, many are left wondering whether the village charm of Godstone could soon resemble something out of a disaster movie. Apparently, Mother Nature has a flair for the dramatic!

As workers begin their toil against the creeping sinkhole, emergency services are on standby, prepared for any sudden changes that might arise. Local coffee shops have even reported a surge in customers seeking a hot drink while witnessing the ongoing crisis. And let’s not forget the opportunity for some quirky selfies with this giant pit now serving as an unintended tourist attraction! You can’t plan these things; sometimes they just happen, and it’s hard not to find a tinge of humor amidst the chaos.

While Godstone attempts to navigate its infrastructural crisis, did you know that sinkholes can develop in various locations worldwide? From Florida's limestone formations to the dramatic chasms in Guatemala, the phenomenon is a natural reminder that the ground beneath our feet is more dynamic than we think. Moreover, this isn’t the first time Godstone has made headlines; the village has a rich history dating back to the Roman era, showcasing its resilience through the ages. As residents band together to tackle this latest challenge, they might just find another reason to celebrate their unique heritage.

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Image courtesy of "Tandridge District Council"

Major incident declared - Godstone sinkhole (Tandridge District Council)

Wednesday 19 February 8.20am The development of a sinkhole in Godstone has been declared a Major Incident and is being managed by the Surrey...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Godstone: Huge sinkhole swallows up more of Surrey street (BBC News)

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL A drone shot looking down onto the two sinkholes in Godstone, both SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL. A second smaller hole has also opened on the ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Mail"

Godstone sinkholes: Major incident declared after SECOND pit ... (Daily Mail)

A cordon is in place on Godstone High Street and the road has been closed between Oxted Road and Bletchingley Road after a 65ft crate opened up.

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Image courtesy of "Mirror.co.uk"

Godstone sink hole: Major incident declared after second pit opens ... (Mirror.co.uk)

SurreyCounty Council has declared a major incident where a second sinkhole is said to have opened in Godstone, as some people were evacuated from the scene ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC Surrey | Guildford"

A huge sinkhole in Godstone is continuing to grow and swallow up ... (BBC Surrey | Guildford)

A huge sinkhole in Godstone is continuing to grow and swallow up more road, with the county council declaring a major incident. The original hole first...

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Image courtesy of "Evening Standard"

Godstone sinkholes: Major incident declared in Surrey as second ... (Evening Standard)

The hole first appeared on Godstone High Street on Monday night after a water pipe burst, growing to at least 20 metres long (65ft) by midday on Tuesday.

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Image courtesy of "Metro"

Massive sinkhole opens up in Godstone in Surrey and sparks ... (Metro)

People got home on Monday night to find the massive sinkhole that had opened up on Godstone High Street in Surrey.

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Image courtesy of "Your Local Guardian"

Godstone sinkhole: Major incident declared in Surrey town (Your Local Guardian)

A huge sinkhole in a Surrey village high street has been declared a major incident by local authorities.

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Image courtesy of "BBC Surrey | Guildford"

People living in Godstone have reacted to two sinkholes that have ... (BBC Surrey | Guildford)

Surrey County Council declared a major incident after the original hole, which has grown to 20m long, was joined by the second. More here: https://www.bbc.co.

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Image courtesy of "MKFM"

Large sinkhole forces closure of Godstone High Street in Surrey (MKFM)

A large sinkhole has opened up in a Surrey village - forcing the high street to be closed.

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Image courtesy of "Manchester Evening News"

Godstone sinkhole: Why do sinkholes happen after 'major incident ... (Manchester Evening News)

"Some sinkholes result from the surface dissolution of soluble rock. For example, limestone rocks dissolve when attacked by rainfall or groundwater that is ...

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Image courtesy of "MyLondon"

'The sinkhole will probably get even bigger which is terrifying ... (MyLondon)

A helicopter could be seen circulating above the scene with residents concerned the number of lorries passing through the 'small' village close to the M25 ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

What is a sinkhole and how does it form? (BBC News)

Two sinkholes have appeared in the Surrey village of Godstone, but how have they formed and are they dangerous?

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Image courtesy of "Malay Mail"

'Pretty mad': Godstone residents shocked over whale-sized sinkhole ... (Malay Mail)

LONDON, Feb 20 — Residents of a village in southeastern England were in shock on Wednesday after a large sinkhole opened along their road and began to ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Godstone sinkhole has stabilised, says Surrey County Council (BBC News)

A major incident is still in force three days after a sinkhole opened in the centre of Godstone.

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Image courtesy of "Mirror.co.uk"

'65ft Godstone sinkhole is swallowing our street but we won't leave ... (Mirror.co.uk)

On Tuesday, several buildings in Godstone had to be evacuated due to fears of an explosion after a huge sinkhole - measuring 16ft long and 10ft wide ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

What are sinkholes, how are they formed and why did one appear in ... (The Guardian)

Failed water main or mineshaft most likely culprits as hole opens up in the village of Godstone.

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Image courtesy of "MyLondon"

Homes around Godstone sinkhole may still be at risk, warns councillor (MyLondon)

The sinkhole appeared in Godstone High Street in Surrey on Monday night, with SES Water later announcing one of its water main pipes had burst underneath the ...

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Image courtesy of "Manchester Evening News"

Godstone: Expert explains why a massive sinkhole swallowed ... (Manchester Evening News)

The huge sinkhole swallowed large parts of a road in Godstone, Surrey on Monday night. A 100-metre cordon was put in place and, by Wednesday (February 19), 30 ...

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Image courtesy of "Surrey Live"

Godstone photos show how sinkhole has developed in three days (Surrey Live)

Carl Bussey, Surrey County Council Assistant Director for Safer Communities and Chair of the Strategic Coordination Group for the incident said: “We understand ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC Countryfile Magazine"

Godstone sinkhole: dramatic aerial photos show scale of damage in ... (BBC Countryfile Magazine)

The sinkhole appeared on Godstone High Street on Monday evening, forcing the evacuation of around 30 homes. Sinkholes in the village of Godstone in Surrey.

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Image courtesy of "Tandridge District Council"

Statement about Godstone sinkhole (Tandridge District Council)

The development of a sinkhole in Godstone has been declared a Major Incident by local agencies in Surrey. In response, all member agencies of the...

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Image courtesy of "MyLondon"

Godstone residents evacuated after sinkhole feel 'let down' by lack ... (MyLondon)

The sinkhole appeared in the small village of Godstone on Monday night with a 100-metre cordon put in place, local roads closed and a major incident declared by ...

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Image courtesy of "New Civil Engineer"

Godstone sinkhole likely due to burst water main flushing out ... (New Civil Engineer)

A sinkhole initially formed on Godstone High Street in Surrey on the evening of Monday, 17 February. By Tuesday, it had grown to about 20m in diameter,

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Image courtesy of "Ground Engineering"

Godstone 'sinkhole' may be linked to unrecorded sand mine (Ground Engineering)

A large “sinkhole” that has swallowed part of a Surrey high street is likely to have been caused by erosion due to a burst water main but could also be ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo News UK"

Godstone residents evacuated after sinkhole feel 'let down' by lack ... (Yahoo News UK)

The sinkhole appeared in the small village of Godstone on Monday night with a 100-metre cordon put in place, local roads closed and a major incident declared by ...

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