Work to repair a huge sinkhole could take six weeks

Work to repair a huge sinkhole on a Black Country road could take up to six weeks.

The hole opened up in Stafford Street, in Walsall, on Thursday, near to the junction of Proffitt Street - much to the shock of local residents and businesses.

It was thought the work would be completed within four weeks according to water company Severn Trent.

But now Walsall Council leader, Councillor Mike Bird, warned the repairs may take even longer.

An investigation is underway to establish what caused the sinkhole to appear. It is believed this was due to a collapsed sewer.

Severn Trent Water is carrying out the probe. Workers have remained on site over the weekend.

Mr Bird said: "It is going to take four to six weeks to repair.

"At the end of the day, these things happen. As I understand, the hole has been made safe and it is protected from traffic. We are now in their hands as how to repair it."

Councillor Tina Jukes, who represents Birchills Leamore on Walsall Council, said: "It is causing traffic to build up.

"I had to go all the way around [on surrounding roads] to get where I needed to go.

"I drove past on Saturday and I know you couldn't get past. People were still working on it. I haven't had any emails [for an update]."

The road was seen gradually sinking in the few days prior to the sinkhole appearing.

After the sinkhole appeared, a spokesman for Severn Trent said: "We’ve been asked to check whether our sewer might’ve caused the problem, so we’re getting a team out with a camera to take a look at our pipe and see if there are any problems."

"The large hole in the carriageway is believed to have been caused by a collapsed sewer," added a council spokesman.

Traffic is being diverted on Leamore Lane, Green Lane and Court Way.