Frustration as sinkhole repair works delayed again

Riverview Housing Freehold Limited (RHFL), which is paying for the works, said the path next to the River Nene had been deteriorating for seven years

Work to fix a sinkhole along a riverside footpath has been further delayed, leaving residents living next to it feeling "disappointed".

The sinkhole, on Henry Penn Walk next to Peterborough's Town Bridge, was first reported in 2021.

After years of dispute, Riverview Housing Freehold Limited (RHFL), which includes leaseholders and freeholders of 24 flats, agreed to pay for the repairs, with work due to start last week.

But Clive Morton, one of the directors of RHFL, said the main repairs have now been "regrettably delayed until April", with interim work expected to begin in Autumn.

Peterborough City Council said a road closure was in place for about eight weeks for the works to be carried out.

Mr Morton who has lived in his riverside flat for nearly a decade, said the path next to the River Nene had been deteriorating for seven years.

"We have had to delay the works very regrettably," he said.

"We met with our contractor last week and after discussions have been told the working conditions to carry out the repairs are not favourable due to the high water [level] in the River Nene.

"In the autumn we will do some interim works including putting in tension cables to secure the damaged wall. Once the water level has come down and the weather is suitable, main works are expected to begin in April, 2026.

"The flat owners share our disappointment. We have been waiting years for this to happen.

"Having to build up to a potential start, but face delays after you have missed the weather window is disappointing."

'Waited long enough'

The sinkhole has shut the footpath since 2021

Vice-chair for Peterborough Civic Society, Toby Wood, said it was frustrating to hear works have been delayed again.

He said it was "very disappointing that some of the things weren't discovered earlier" and that he hoped it was "a teething problem and can be sorted out soon".

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes echoed the frustration.

He said: "The full works have been timed out this year because they can't be completed before the weather and strength of the river changes.

"But I am pleased that work will be done to secure the area and to keep everyone safe until the main project starts in the New Year.

"We have waited long enough."