Jack Fiehn
Political reporter, BBC Surrey

Image source, Getty Images

The number of permits issued to temporarily shut roads in Surrey has risen by more than 50% in the last five years.

A BBC Freedom of Information request to Surrey County Council showed that in 2020-21 there were 1,197 closures for utilities works, and this jumped to 1,866 in 2024-25.

The council said it was working with companies to improve traffic management and communication with residents.

Streetworks UK, the trade association for utilities companies, said it was "engaging constructively with highways authorities" across the country.

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Thanks for joining us as we launch a live page on the subject of roadworks across the South East.

You’ve been contacting us to highlight the sheer number of works clogging up traffic in your local areas and how they are impacting businesses and communities.

So we thought we’d take a closer look, and we'll have reporters in Kent, Sussex and Surrey today speaking to those affected and holding to account those responsible.

Stay with us throughout the day as we bring you live updates.

And meanwhile, you can WhatsApp, external us on 08081 002250 or email us at southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk

Monica Harding is set to raise the issue of "overstaying" boats on the River Thames in Parliament.

The education minister says he will meet with Woking MP Will Forster to discuss the case.

Spelthorne Litter Pickers are celebrating winning the King's Award for Voluntary Service.

Complaints include door replacement delays and long waits for adaptions to make homes more suitable.

Police are asking people to be vigilant and report suspicious activity after three suspicious fires.

The scheme includes restrictions on rowdy behaviour and using certain vehicles in a dangerous way.

Woking MP Will Forster says there are 1,500 cases waiting for their date in Crown Court in Surrey.

Surrey Police says it received a "handful" of reports of thefts from vans in the Surrey Heath area.

A number of road closures and works in Woking town centre are causing problems for businesses.

Sara Smith
BBC South East Reporter in Godstone

Image source, Adrian Harms/BBC

It has been particularly difficult for the 30 households who have had to be evacuated from Godstone village, as there is no news on when they can return to their properties.

As things stand, there is no indication that any further evacuations will need to take place.

People in the small Surrey village who were able to stay put are remaining resilient, and they are very pleased to have their water back on.

But, what they want is to know what has happened here.

Earlier, one woman told me she thought she saw a hole near a manhole cover that she thought had sunk. Little did she know what would unfold.

Image source, Adrain Harms/BBC

Rez Mira left his property in the early hours of Tuesday morning after being told he had to evacuate by police.

He tells BBC Radio Surrey he drove to his family in Croydon after leaving his home, a journey just under 15 miles (24 km).

Mira's garden has now collapsed into the sinkhole and he is worried that he and his family will now have to find somewhere else to live.

"School goes back next week so we need to go back," he adds.

One man who lives on the affected road says he spent Monday night sleeping in his car after the sinkhole first appeared.

"I spent the night in the car, 400 metres down the road into a carpark by the green," Josh Neame says.

Neame, who moved into his property "last Tuesday" and is yet to fully unpack his belongings, was told he could not access his house because of the sinkhole.

He was eventually allowed back into his property, very briefly, on Tuesday afternoon where he packed a bag of toiletries, pants and socks to get him through.

Despite the uncertainty for him and his neighbours, Neame remains optimistic. He believes his house's "piled" structure, meaning it was built on columns made of a strong and deep foundation to support the building, will help.

But Neame recognises that some people might not be as fortunate.

"It is awful for the people who it is literally underneath their kitchen windows," he adds.

A prize of £4,000 is available for the winner alongside a package of mentoring and support.

The Runnymede and Weybridge MP is pushing for more funding after a farm worker contracted bird flu.

An investigation is underway into a fire assessor who has been suspended by a professional body.

Auditors say they cannot fully assess the council's finances due to "inadequate" record keeping

MP Al Pinkerton writes a letter to the transport secretary with a plan to alleviate the shortage.

Art celebrating Spelthorne's creativity, diversity and vibrancy is wanted for the exhibition.