St Albans sinkhole: Filling of giant crater continues

Foamed concrete has been pumped into the hole since Friday, with some days off to allow it to set

Thousands of litres of foamed concrete are continuing to be pumped into a massive sinkhole in St Albans.

The 66ft (20m) wide and 33ft (10m) deep crater opened up across gardens and driveways on Fontmell Close last week.

Work to fill the hole is expected to continue into Thursday.

Hertfordshire County Council said once the hole is filled to within a metre from the top, more surveys will be carried out and utilities will be permanently reconnected.

Most homes in the area have had temporary fixes on their water and electric supplies, but gas and telephone lines are being reconnected "as soon as possible", a spokeswoman said.

Lorries began pumping foamed concrete into the sinkhole on Friday

"All agencies are continuing to work together to get residents back to their homes as soon as it is safe to do so," said Richard Thake, cabinet member for community safety.

Foamed concrete is designed to expand in the ground and fill any gaps, to make sure the soil remains stable and a hole does not reappear.

A private security firm has been watching properties in Fontmell Close and Bridle Close 24-hours-a-day since Friday evening, with a number of residents unable to return to their homes.

A geophysical survey has begun under the housing estate, which local historians say was once covered in brickmakers' clay pits, to try and identify any further areas where sinkholes could occur.

The sinkhole stretches the entire width of the road and into gardens