High street given reopening date after sinkhole

A road closed by a sinkhole for nearly a year and a half is set to reopen this week, according to an MP.

Godstone High Street has been shut since February 2025, when the 65ft (20m) crater appeared and forced nearby homes to be evacuated.

Resurfacing work had been due for completion earlier this month, and now Claire Coutinho, Conservative MP for East Surrey, has said Friday is the reopening date, adding that "lessons must be learnt from this incident".

Surrey County Council (SCC) has been contacted for comment.

Posting on social media on Monday, Coutinho said: "I have just received confirmation that Godstone High Street will reopen on Friday, 31July.

"This seemingly never-ending saga has dragged on for nearly 18 months.

"And while I am sure no-one is in the mood for celebrations, I hope the reopening will allow people to get back to their lives.

"Ultimately, lessons must be learnt from this incident, and with the liability assessment to come, I will continue to ask questions and push for answers."

Initial hopes had been for a December 2025 reopening, but delays to repair work persisted.

As of January, the cost of repairing the sinkhole had risen to £2.3m.

SES Water, which has been working on reinstating damaged water pipes underneath the road, previously said it had faced "significant technical challenges" as a result of the weather and "issues with other utilities' pipework".

The firm has also been contacted for comment.

Speaking earlier this month, Matt Furniss, SCC cabinet member for transport, said: "Fundamentally, our focus has always been on getting this right to ensure the area is safe and stable for local people, and those travelling through the area."

After the sinkhole appeared, council tax and business rate relief were given to those affected.

In June this year, some local firms requested additional business rate relief, claiming that the road collapse was "killing" trade.

At the same time, Coutinho also backed calls for a "tapered cushioning" of business rates over fears they would "kick in at the full amount the moment the road reopens".

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