This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-34420519
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Lorries arrive to fill in St Albans sinkhole | Lorries arrive to fill in St Albans sinkhole |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The first of dozens of lorries carrying a quick-drying concrete have arrived to start filling in a giant sinkhole in a residential street in St Albans. | |
| The 66ft (20m) diameter hole is spread across driveways and front gardens in Fontmell Close and is 33ft (10m) deep. | The 66ft (20m) diameter hole is spread across driveways and front gardens in Fontmell Close and is 33ft (10m) deep. |
| Experts believe the sinkhole, which has left 50 homes without power, was caused by the collapse of a unrecorded mine. | Experts believe the sinkhole, which has left 50 homes without power, was caused by the collapse of a unrecorded mine. |
| Five homes were evacuated in the early hours of Thursday after residents heard a crash and the hole appeared. | Five homes were evacuated in the early hours of Thursday after residents heard a crash and the hole appeared. |
| St Albans' sinkhole: Latest updates | St Albans' sinkhole: Latest updates |
| A small hole in the footpath was cordoned off last week, but Hertfordshire County Council said there was "no reason to suspect that the hole would collapse". | A small hole in the footpath was cordoned off last week, but Hertfordshire County Council said there was "no reason to suspect that the hole would collapse". |
| One local resident told the BBC his wife had previously seen a postman fall in the smaller hole and he had looked "quite badly injured". | One local resident told the BBC his wife had previously seen a postman fall in the smaller hole and he had looked "quite badly injured". |
| Search for mines | Search for mines |
| Residents have been told it could take weeks to repair the road. | Residents have been told it could take weeks to repair the road. |
| What causes a sinkhole? | What causes a sinkhole? |
| The British Geological Survey says there are several different types of sinkhole, sometimes known as "dolines". | The British Geological Survey says there are several different types of sinkhole, sometimes known as "dolines". |
| The BBC reporter at the scene, Ben Ando, said the foamed concrete will gradually be poured into the hole to stabilise it. | |
| It is designed to expand in the ground, filling any voids. | |
| He added it will take at least until the middle of next week to complete the initial fill work before utilities can be reconnected. | He added it will take at least until the middle of next week to complete the initial fill work before utilities can be reconnected. |
| Engineers said on Thursday afternoon there was still evidence that the ground was moving, several hours after the primary collapse. | Engineers said on Thursday afternoon there was still evidence that the ground was moving, several hours after the primary collapse. |
| Families affected are being helped by the district council. Most are now staying with relatives, though nine people were put up last night in a hotel. | Families affected are being helped by the district council. Most are now staying with relatives, though nine people were put up last night in a hotel. |
| Students at the University of Hertfordshire are beginning to source old maps to find any ancient or extinct mine workings that may be responsible for the hole. | Students at the University of Hertfordshire are beginning to source old maps to find any ancient or extinct mine workings that may be responsible for the hole. |
| The university said such maps may also give a clue as to other areas at risk. | The university said such maps may also give a clue as to other areas at risk. |