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Ryde Sinkhole Repairs Will Take 'Several Weeks'

Work to repair Ryde's sinkhole will take 'several weeks' according to Southern Water.

The firm has been working to fill the void on Appley seafront since Monday (25).

It first appeared on Sunday 17 - and has only got wider and deeper.

Southern Water says the mains sewer below the surface is the cause.

Tankers and pumps have been in the area and more work to find a permanent solution will commence next week.

Keith Herbert, Southern Water Area Manager, said:

"The 1 metre wide sewer pipe carries all of Ryde’s wastewater and storm water, so tankers and temporary pumps have been drafted in to maintain flow. These are critical to helping us to maintain wastewater services, and ensure local residents and businesses can continue to use all kitchen and bathroom facilities as normal.

"Due to the depth and complex nature of the required repair of the sewer and resulting surrounding hole, which will take several weeks, a more permanent solution is our next priority – with a pipe being laid to divert flow around affected area so that we can stand down all tankers and pumps. This will start week of 1 February and will sit along the beach wall so that it is out the way of work in the main area. The popular footpath will remain open.

"We recognise the disruption this has caused locally and apologise to those affected.  We wish to reassure customers that we are working to rectify the issue as quickly as possible and thank them for their patience and for giving our frontline workers the safe distance they need to carry out their work safely."

Extra fencing has been erected along the seafront.

The footpath remains open.

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