Sinkhole investigation to cost council £30,000

The sinkhole was spotted at the end of December 2024

An investigation into a large sinkhole which appeared in a publicly owned field nearly a year ago will cost a local authority £30,000.

The hole was found on Eston Recreation Ground in December 2024 and its cause has been linked to historic mining works in the area.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has hired a contractor to carry out further investigations, with the bill being paid from the local authority's environmental assets budget.

Council documents state the contractor will "consider short-term measures to reduce the risk of any further collapsing" and provide details on what long-term measures are required.

'No sinkholes'

Temporary barriers were initially placed around the hole after a local grandmother reported she and her dog had fallen into it, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The barriers have since been replaced by a permanent metal fence and the council has earmarked up to £150,000 to spend on resolving the situation.

Earlier this year, council leader Alec Brown mooted the prospect of a new sports hub on the recreation ground, which is bounded by Normanby Road, Church Lane and the Trunk Road.

He also promised the development would have "no sinkholes".