Specialist contractors brought in as 1800s culvert on Queens Road in Newark continues to collapse causing sinkholes in what Nottinghamshire County Council admits will not be an easy fix

Traffic mayhem in Newark town centre looks to set to continue for weeks to come.

As one part of a culvert dating to the 1800s is repaired on Queens Road in Newark, another collapses causing further sinkholes.

Via East Midlands has sought industry advice and engaged specialist contractors to help in what will not be a short term fix.

Area county councillor Keith Girling has suggested a one-way system be introduced to solve the problem of rat-runs around Lovers Lane as drivers seek to get around the closure of Queens Road, which is the Lincoln-bound exit of town.

"The culvert is from the 1800's and as such as they repair one part of the culvert another part gives way so, as you can imagine, it's not going to be a short term fix,” said Mr Girling, who has visited affected businesses to see what can be done to help them.

“At least three sinkholes have now appeared.

“It won't be a case of just filling it in as it takes a watercourse which also has effluent running through it, which has caused some confusion as to who's responsibility it is to repair.

“Your patience and understanding would be greatly appreciated.”

A highways manager from Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We can understand the frustration of road users at the ongoing closure of Queen’s Road in Newark and would like to assure residents and businesses in the area that we’re doing all we can to get the culvert repaired and the road re-opened.

“Establishing the extent of the works required, and making the repairs, are extremely complex tasks due to the nature of the structure, its poor condition and working within very deep excavations. This also means we require a specialist contractor to complete the repairs.

“Investigations into the wider condition of the culvert have been hampered by the poor weather we’ve experienced, with CCTV surveys being rescheduled due to the culvert being full and fast flowing due to because of recent heavy rainfall.

“Final investigation and planning works are scheduled to take place next week, with the main repair works provisionally due to commence on-site at the end of September.

“We are aware of the impact that the closure is having locally, and we are actively engaging with those businesses directly affected by the works.”