Thames Water Reports Good Progress on Sinkhole Repairs

Thames Water has stated that work to repair a sinkhole located in a Surrey town centre is “progressing well.” The sinkhole initially emerged on West Street in Dorking on 30 August, leading to the closure of the road for traffic. The utility company had previously indicated that a more extensive section of pipe required repair, following the discovery of “more defects than previously expected.” In a recent statement, the company confirmed: “Work to repair a broken surface water pipe on West Street is progressing well and our contractors remain on course to be finished and off-site by mid-November.” The water utility also mentioned that West Street, a location known for its numerous antique shops, is expected to reopen before Christmas. Nevertheless, a subsequent visit to the site will be necessary “due to the scale of the damage.” A company spokesperson stated: “We will need to return next year to carry out more repair work further along the pipe. Our inspections have shown damage caused by rubble in the initial collapse and further structural issues in the brickwork.”