Frustration grows as Arnold sinkhole left unresolved amid responsibility row

Residents in Arnold say a growing sinkhole has been left unaddressed for weeks as confusion continues over who is responsible for repairs.

The defect first appeared in late January on Acton Road, initially as a small area of damage in the middle of the narrow street. However, locals say the hole has since expanded and is now “creeping further” across the carriageway.

Safety concerns raised

Nottinghamshire County Council inspected the site on 3 February, installing metal fencing and placing a temporary cover over the hole. Further investigation on 26 February uncovered what appeared to be a broken pipe, believed at the time to fall under water company Severn Trent’s remit.

Despite this, the issue was not classified as an immediate risk, with a 28-day response window set while Severn Trent was contacted.

Local residents say little progress has been made since.

A nearby resident described the sinkhole as a “mine shaft”, warning it is continuing to grow and could pose a danger to the public.

“It’s fenced off but it’s creeping further across the road – the fence does need moving because it’s spreading,” she said.

She also raised concerns about safety, particularly for children, and warned that the site could be hazardous if barriers were moved or tampered with.

Dispute over responsibility

The situation has been complicated by disagreement over who is responsible for the repair.

The resident said she contacted Severn Trent after noticing a visible pipe in the damaged area, but was told the issue lay with the county council.

Severn Trent has since confirmed it carried out an inspection on 3 March, using CCTV equipment, and found no fault with its network.

A spokesperson said the company would now work with the council to resolve the issue.

Delays and disruption

The defect was officially logged on 3 February, with repairs currently scheduled for completion by 10 April—a deadline residents say has already been pushed back.

In the meantime, the road’s narrow width has led to disruption, with larger vehicles reportedly mounting the pavement to pass the fenced-off area.

County councillor John Semens acknowledged the challenges, noting that sinkholes can expand, particularly following periods of heavy rainfall.

“The nature of a sinkhole is they can grow… if water has got into that it can grow,” he said.

Growing frustration

Residents say they feel overlooked, with one describing the situation as an example of a smaller street being “forgotten about”.

Concerns have also been raised about potential vehicle damage and liability if the issue is not addressed promptly.

With responsibility still unclear and the sinkhole continuing to widen, pressure is mounting on authorities to resolve the situation before it worsens further.