A large sinkhole under the surface of a road in Teddington is causing transport and traffic disruption.
Police were first called to the sinkhole yesterday (January 4) at around 4pm on Kingston Road, near the junction with Holmesdale Road.
Officers described the sinkhole as appearing “to have spread to quite a large area under the surface of the road”.
Richmond Council has said that engineers are attending the site today to examine the situation.
The road has been closed off to vehicles, but pedestrians can use the pavement and access the Co-op and other neighbouring shops.
Sam Parkes, 46, an IT manager from Teddington who lives opposite the sinkhole, said a number of cars were affected.
“I heard a tyre bursting, went to the window and saw the hole,” he told the PA news agency.
“The car with the burst tyre just carried on down the road. I went down to the site as another driver was reverse parking. Her front wheel dropped into the hole, which she managed to get out of.
“I went to check she was OK and put a couple of traffic cones in front of the hole at the same time.
“We both looked in and could see it was much bigger under the surface of the road. I then called the police (non-emergency) and they sent a car pretty quickly.
“Today they are now digging it up and it looks like a large hole so far – about two metres by three.”
Police have advised that the road closure and bus division routes may be in place for some time.
Richmond Council advises that you should allow extra time for your journey if traveling in the area and to “consider alternative routes to avoid heavy traffic”.
Southbound traffic is being diverted at the junction of Ferry Road and Kingston Road while Northbound traffic is being diverted at Kingston Roundabout onto Hampton Court Road and via Church Grove.
Bus routes are also being diverted with the 281 and 285 towards Kingston are travelling via Park Road, Sandy Lane, Park Road, Church Grove and Hampton Court Road due to damage to the carriageway at Kingston Road.
Richmond Council has said that services will be unable to stop at 'Marston Road' (P) to 'Fairfax Road' (E).
The 281 and 285 towards Teddington are on diversion via Hampton Court Road, Church Grove, Park Road, Sandy Lane and Park.
Buses will be unable to stop at 'Lower Teddington Road' (A) to 'Elmfield Avenue' (D).
A spokesperson for Kingston Police said: “On 04/01/23 we were called to reports of sinkhole on Kingston Road, near the junction with Holmesdale Road, Teddington, TW11.
“Our local officers and local partners have been on scene to assess the situation and the sinkhole appears to have spread to quite a large area under the surface of the road.
“Road closures and bus diversions are being put in place and may be in for some time.
A spokesperson for Kingston Council said: “Kingston Road in Teddington (TW11) is closed between Ferry Road and Kingston Roundabout, due to a suspected sink hole.
“Diversions are in place, but please consider alternative routes to avoid heavy traffic.
“Engineers will be examining the site tomorrow (Thursday 5 January).”
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