Work starts on long-delayed 'eyesore' sinkhole

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

People in riverside flats next to a long-standing sinkhole on a footpath say they are "delighted" much-awaited repair works are due to start this week.

The sinkhole, on Henry Penn Walk next to Peterborough's Town Bridge, was first reported in 2021 and the path has been closed amid arguments over who should be responsible for the works, which were expected to cost millions.

After years of dispute, Riverview Housing Freehold Limited (RHFL), which includes leaseholders and freeholders of 24 flats, have agreed to pay for the repairs.

Clive Morton, one of the directors of RHFL, said repairs were a "considerable burden" on home owners, but welcomed the project's go-ahead from the council.

The sinkhole has shut the footpath since 2021

Peterborough City Council said a road closure would be in place for eight weeks between Town Bridge and Rivergate for the work.

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

"The council has given us a permit for lane closure which will enable our contractors to start work on the river wall," he said.

"This is quite a considerable burden for freeholders and leaseholders to provide this money. But we end up being responsible for the repairs because of a riparian ownership law - which means if you have a building near the edge of the river then you are responsible for the repairs of a retaining bank.

"But, we have been waiting a long time for this go-ahead and are delighted to make a start."

However, he did not wish to reveal the actual cost of the repairs.

Mr Morton said Peterborough Labour MP Andrew Pakes has been "very active in lobbying for early start to this project".

"We also want to thank Highways team for helping us get the lane closures and our contractors for their patience and all the leaseholders for their understanding in their process."

Henry Penn Walk has been shut since the sinkhole opened up

Toby Wood, vice chairman of the Peterborough Civic Society, previously called the sinkhole an "eyesore", welcomed the works.

"It would be great for people of Peterborough to get back to walking along the area by the embankment again," he said.

Pakes said: "It's taken a half-life to get to this point.

"There are still a few hoops to jump through but credit to the flat owners involved for keeping up the pressure."

Angus Ellis, council cabinet member for transport and environment, said: "We fully understand people's frustration at the amount of time this has taken, but this is a highly complicated matter concerning privately-owned land, which is the freeholder's responsibility to resolve."

He said conditions have been placed on the work to minimise disruption for motorists.