GETTING to the bottom of a why a sinkhole opened up in Hindhead last week has proved a bit of a headache for residents and businesses.

With diversions set up after the 30ft by 6ft hole appeared in the middle of Tilford Road close to the junction of Highfield Crescent, heavy vehicles and other motorists found themselves having to negotiate Tower Road and on to the old A3 near the Hindhead traffic lights.

But it was business as usual in Royal Parade while the area was fenced off and engineers from Thames Water and Surrey County Council inspected the damage. First thought to be a damaged sewer or water pipe, a specialist council team has now been called in to examine the sinkhole to find out what caused it and decide how to repair it.