Walsall road closed as huge sinkhole opens up
A huge sinkhole has appeared in the middle of a busy road in Walsall.
The hole opened up in Stafford Street on Thursday after part of the road had been seen to be gradually sinking in recent days at the junction with Proffitt Street.
The road has been closed and Severn Trent is investigating whether a collapsed sewer caused the road to give way.
The hole is directly outside Tyre City, which had only reopened on Monday due to coronavirus and has now had to close for up to two weeks again.
Manager Sean Dickenson said he could see the ground sinking and ran into the road to stop an oncoming Transit van which had to swerve out of the way before the hole opened up.
He explained: "We opened up on Monday and noticed there was a dip in the road. The cars were bouncing.
"Day by day it's been getting worse then this morning we were sitting here and could see the road sinking.
"Then the council came and put some signs up saying slow down.
"We were watching the road dip and all of a sudden a Transit van drown down and I had to run and stop it before the road caved in.
"He had to swerve on the pavement."
Councillor Matt Ward, who represents the Blakenall ward, said he noticed a dip in the road this morning.
He said: "Earlier this morning I reported the road in Stafford Street was sinking.
"I headed into Walsall at about 9.45am and I noticed a dip in the road, like a roller coaster, so I contacted the council.
"The cars were going down and then up as they went over it.
"We've then had an email to say the road has collapsed and they believe it's due to a collapsed sewer.
"The road is going to remain closed for some time. I didn't expect as much to collapse, it's like a huge crater.
"Thankfully nobody has been injured as a result, the road's really really busy usually.
"Hopefully it gets sorted out as quickly as possible."
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."
A spokesman for Walsall Council added: "Our highways team are attending to a void that has opened up on Stafford Street in Walsall.
"The large hole in the carriageway is believed to have been caused by a collapsed sewer.
"The road is being closed to ensure the safety of the travelling public and Severn Trent are expected to be on site later.
"Traffic is being diverted via Leamore Lane, Green Lane and Court Way and turnings from the Ring Road onto Stafford Street will be closed to northbound traffic.
"We would ask that drivers also avoid Hospital Street to prevent congestion and unnecessary delays to their journey."
