Road closed after sink hole appears

Photo: Darren Robinson

Subsidence causes sink hole to appear on Fields New Road in Chadderton.

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A ROAD in Chadderton has caved in leaving a four-foot-wide sink hole.

One resident says children were playing on the ground and just ten minutes later the road caved in leaving a “very deep” hole.

Police cordoned off part of Field New Road after the hole appeared at around 5pm on Monday.

Local resident Annmarie Stodhard said: “It’s scary really because there were a few children jumping up and down on the ground as it looked like it was sinking and then ten minutes later it caved in – it makes you wonder what might have happened.

“It’s the second time in recent months that a sink hole has appeared in the area.

“I understand that the estate is built on an old coal mine and I think that must be why this has happened and it will probably happen again if that’s the case.

“It’s close to a doctors surgery and a school as well so the road closure causes a bit of inconvenience.”

Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had sealed off the road close to its junction with Thompson Lane and Butler Green, near South Chadderton Methodist Church. Oldham Council engineers were assessing the damage yesterday morning and it is not yet known how long the closure will be in place.