Concern as giant hole opens up in New Chester Road

Aug 6 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

Concern as giant hole opens up in New Chester Road

A HUGE hole has appeared in New Chester Road, New Ferry, after the collapse of a drain.

The hollow section of road was reported to police as soon as it was discovered four weeks ago. A few days later the area was fenced off and inspected.

Pamela Matthews, owner of Strut Your Stuff, a shop next to the hole in the road, said: “I went home one night and, when I came back the next morning, I saw the collapsed piece of road.

“I called the police immediately and they came out to take a look.

“The hole was actually exposed for a few days before it was fenced off. It was very dangerous as somebody could have fallen down it.

“Over the last couple of weeks I have noticed different people coming out to fix and monitor the hole - but this process has taken a very long time.”

Temporary traffic lights are working in New Ferry to divert traffic around the cavity, which is set to be fixed and completely filled with concrete this weekend.

Bromborough councillor Steve Niblock said: “There has been a lot of disturbance in New Ferry this year which is affecting residents, shopkeepers and drivers.

“Temporary traffic lights have been a regular feature here as we have had problems with electricity, gas and water.

“The infrastructure under the road is obviously old which is why all these problems are occurring.

“The hole came out of nowhere and it has taken almost four weeks for it to be fixed which has been a real inconvenience for everybody who uses New Chester Road.”

Wirral Council was unable to supply a comment at the time of going to press.