Cement trucks roll up to repair St Albans sinkhole

Work has begun to repair a huge sinkhole that opened up yesterday in a St Albans street.

The hole will be filled with foamed concrete - a process likely to take several days.

Residents of Fontmell Close, St Albans were forced to evacuate their homes after the gaping 10-metre deep hole opened up next to their driveways.

An emergency access road was created for residents to get their cars out via a playing field behind the site, and the reception centre at nearby Batchwood Sports Centre was used to yesterday and today by people wishing to shower or take shelter.

Some residents were forced to book into local hotels overnight, while others remained at home, or stayed with friends and family.

Hertfordshire County Council said there was already a smaller hole in the road, which contractors had been called to fill, which expanded at around 1.30am yesterday.

A Hertfordshire County Council spokeswoman said: “Following advice from Hertfordshire County Council’s geotechnical experts, engineers will start filling the sinkhole with foamed concrete today, Friday 2 October.