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Large sink hole that has opened up on Oxted Road and Bletchingley Road in Godstone

Large sink hole that has opened up on Oxted Road and Bletchingley Road in Godstone (Image: Tony Kershaw/SWNS)

Tandridge District Council said it has received reports of people distributing leaflets which offer "sinkhole detection services" - for as much as £1,499.

According to the BBC, the leaflets come from an unnamed company - and contain only a mobile phone number and WhatsApp QR code.

Councillors have urged locals to not let scammers "exploit [them] during a crisis" - while Trading Standards encouraged people to "think twice" before paying someone.

They also advised that Surrey Highways is already carrying out professional ground surveys in Godstone, where the sinkhole emerged.

It comes after the sinkhole, estimated to be at least 19m (62ft) long and about 3m (10ft) wide, opened up on Godstone High Street on February 18.

As a result, a number of homes were evacuated - and several households were left without water.

A day later, a second sinkhole opened - and more homes were evacuated amid fears of an explosion caused by exposed cables.

Godstone resident Christine Duncan

Godstone resident Christine Duncan. (Image: Isobel WIlliams / SWNS)

Christine Duncan, 57, who has lived in her home just outside the cordon for over two decades, says she is still in shock at what has happened.

She said: "My husband was down the pub and saw a trickle of water. Then the sinkhole just suddenly appeared.

"I have lived here for 24 years, and I have never seen anything like this before. I am still in shock. I can't make heads or tails of it.

"I think it is to do with the amount of lorries that drive through here. We are only a small village.

"I am very worried about how long it is going to take to fix the road. My main concern is that there are a lot of vulnerable people around here and there is a care home just down the road."

Godstone resident Graham Brookes.

Godstone resident Graham Brookes. (Image: Isobel WIlliams / SWNS)

Graham Brookes, 94, has lived in his nearby home for nine years - but says he has been involved in the area for decades.

He agreed that the main worry is for older people who will have to walk a long way to get around the cordon.

He added: "We realised something was wrong because the water pressure was down. Then we found out what had happened and realised how lucky we were to still have water.

"It is not going to be an easy job to fix. It will affect everyone coming into Godstone.

"The village will be very badly impacted by this. But we will get through it. It will mainly effect older people because they will have to walk all the way around.

"The local businesses will also be hit hard as they can't get vans in.

"It has already impacted the amount of people around. I went to the supermarket earlier and the car park was half empty when it is normally packed."

Godstone resident Paul Ryan

Godstone resident Paul Ryan (Image: Isobel WIlliams / SWNS)

Paul Ryan, 53, has lived in his home on the High Street for nine years.

He said: "For the first 24 hours it was a major inconvenience. I was quite surprised, but this has been on the cards for a while.

"The locals have been worried for a while about the HGVs going through the village. They use this road as a bypass to the M25 and come down at 60mph."

A 40-year-old local, who wished to remain anonymous, says she fears that her home will be the next to be evacuated.

The resident of five years said: "We were without water for a considerable amount of time. We thought that water would be delivered to us but instead we had to go to a water station.

"Our water finally came back on at about 3am this morning.

"It is a very scary situation. The sinkhole is huge so we are quite worried that we are going to be evacuated.

"The sinkhole will probably get even bigger which is terrifying. It is just a very upsetting time."

Large sink hole that has opened up on Oxted Road and Bletchingley Road in Godstone, Surrey

Large sink hole that has opened up on Oxted Road and Bletchingley Road in Godstone, Surrey (Image: Tony Kershaw/SWNS)

Commenting on the recent scam surveys, Tandridge District Council said in a post on social media: "Beware of scams. Following the Godstone road collapse, we have had reports of leaflets being distributed locally offering sinkhole detection services for large sums of money.

"Sadly, some people try to exploit others during a crisis.

"Please be aware Surrey Highways is already carrying out professional ground surveys in Godstone.

"When choosing a reputable trader, Trading Standards advice is:

  • Don't rush into paying for checks or repairs. Fraudsters often play on fear and urgency.
  • Ignore uninvited doorstep callers. You are not obliged to engage with them.
  • Always research any trader. And get at least three quotes before agreeing to any work."

Meanwhile, Trading Standards added: "Following the Godstone Sinkhole we've seen a leaflet has been distributed offering sinkhole detection for quite a lot of money!

"Don't panic and think twice before paying as @HighwaysSurrey are carrying out Ground Penetrating surveys (and others) anyway."


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