Life 'transformed' living near sinkhole - resident

Carol Ward has lived in Godstone for a year

A woman who lives near a partially collapsed road in a Surrey village says the sinkhole has "transformed" her life.

Carol Ward has only lived in Godstone for a year and said before the sinkhole appeared in the High Street she was feeling a bit isolated.

Soon after the road collapsed, she set up a support group for people who wanted to help, those who needed support and to share information.

"I'm more out there in the community, I'm doing more to help and support other people," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. "It's completely transformed my life."

Ms Ward, who was not evacuated but lives near the cordon, cares for her mother.

"It has impacted the whole of the Godstone community," she said. "I've got an elderly mum and she finds it more difficult to access the green as she has to go the long way round because of the barriers."

Authorities declared a major incident after the ground opened up on Godstone High Street on 17 February, with police telling people living in William Way to "get out as quickly as possible" at the time.

What caused the collapse is still unknown. Surrey Highways teams said it could take "several months" for the hole to be fixed and the road to be cleared to return to normal.

Residents nearby were evacuated after the sinkhole opened up

Out of the 26 families that were allowed back only four have returned, according to Catherine Sayer, leader of Tandridge District Council.

Businesses in the village previously said they were "struggling", with trade dropping off by about 30% in some cases.

Will McLean, owner of Dorwyn doors and windows shop on the High Street, said not one customer had come in to make an order since the sinkhole opened up.

"It's ridiculous, I was busier in a national pandemic," he added.

Work is still being done to establish the cause of the collapse

Not everyone has been disrupted by the 65ft (19.8m) hole, some have been making the most of the road closure by working from home, keeping the windows wide open or sunbathing in the garden.

"It's been heavenly," said one neighbour, who did not want to be named, adding that she did sympathise with those who have had to leave their homes.

"It's been so peaceful without the huge trucks rumbling past every five minutes," she said.

Tandridge District Council has suspended business rates for those affected by the hole, and its leader said the authority was reviewing whether its business rates hardship scheme could apply to a wider range of businesses.