Godstone sinkhole update

Boreholes into sandstone beneath Godstone reveal a maze of tunnels as engineers work to stabilise a sinkhole caused by a burst water main.

Godstone sinkhole linked to burst water main, engineers say

A sinkhole near Godstone is linked to a burst water main. Engineers say they have driven boreholes more than 30 metres deep into the sandstone beneath the village to understand the subsurface conditions while stabilising the ground around a busy road used by heavy vehicles. Work is complicated by underground electrical cables and gas and water pipes, and teams are planning to prevent any future collapse as traffic continues to flow around the site.

Beneath Godstone lies a network of tunnels dating back to the 1800s when the area’s sand was mined to supply glass makers. Unofficial mines dug under gardens created a tangled underground map that now tests the engineers’ skills and patience. The BBC confirmed that one tunnel in the area is still accessible via a locked entrance but has refused to disclose its location to deter trespass. A local businessman said he recently entered a tunnel and shared a photo of a preserved space cut into the sandstone. As diversions push travel times around the hole, residents are watching the ground as closely as the road above it.

The case shows how heritage and modern infrastructure collide in rural England. The old tunnels beneath the village add a layer of risk that goes beyond a standard landslip or water main burst. That complexity matters for budgeting, planning, and public reassurance. It also highlights how a single utility failure can ripple into traffic disruption and long repair timelines. As crews stabilise the site, officials must explain timelines clearly while balancing safety, access, and the preservation of underground remnants that tell a local history.

In the long run, the Godstone incident may prompt a rethink of subsurface risk assessments in similar villages. A future plan could require more comprehensive mapping of underground features before major repairs, ensuring that heritage and safety advance together rather than against each other.

Highlights

The ground beneath Godstone will keep testing planners and engineers as it reveals its hidden past.