Sinkhole is getting bigger and bigger – but nobody wants to take responsibility for it

The sinkhole is getting bigger

A sinkhole that appeared out of nowhere last month is getting bigger and bigger – but no one wants to take responsibility for it, according to locals.

On a small stretch of Gipsy Lane in Rochdale a sinkhole, which started off quite small, has now grown to over a metre wide. Stuart Wilson, who runs Semper Blinds and has to deal with this outside his business every day, says it is becoming increasingly hazardous.

But he said that because it is on an unadopted road, no one seems to know who is responsible for dealing with the problem.

“It’s impacting everyone around here,” Stuart said. “There are a number of companies around here being affected by this.

“One of the roofers by me said he is going to struggle into his lot soon because of the sinkhole. One day the sinkhole just tore open. It has been getting progressively worse. People can fix it but no one wants to take on the bill for it.

“This is dangerous, not just for people here, but it’s six feet away from a gas line.”

The businessman has been pushing for answers from the landlord of his unit, PGC Demolition, a small construction company. The landlord has put fencing around the sinkhole for public safety but they believe responsibility should come down to Rochdale Council or Tetrosyl.

Tetrosyl, an international distribution business dealing in motoring goods, has a warehouse on Gipsy Lane, which makes Stuart suspect they are the landowners.

A spokesperson for Rochdale Council said the road is not owned by them, so does not fall under their responsibility. By definition unadopted roads do not have to be maintained by the Highway Authority under the Highways Act 1980.

A legal duty to maintain unadopted roads still exists but it falls to the owners of the road to do so.

George Lythgoe, Local democracy reporter