EMERGENCY repairs are in the process of being carried out after a leaking water main was discovered following the appearance of a sinkhole.
West Avenue, in Clacton, was shut between Station Road and Jackson Road from about 4pm on Wednesday evening.
The decision to lock-off the area was made after a section of road caved in not far from the St Helena Tendring Centre.
The following morning the road was remained closed to drivers in order to protect “the safety of the public” and so engineers could examine the situation.
A spokesman for Essex Highways has now said the sinkhole is believed to have been caused by a dodgy water pipe beneath the road surface.
“After the sinkhole appeared on West Avenue, Clacton, the road was immediately closed for the safety of the public and to investigate the cause,” he said.
“We discovered a leaking water main underneath the road where the sinkhole was situated.
“Emergency repairs will need to be carried out by Affinity Water, who will be putting in the relevant traffic management to deal with the situation.”
Affinity Water has been contacted for comment.
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