It has been a year marked by sudden ground collapses, unexpected engineering challenges, and a fair amount of local frustration in two English communities—Little Missenden in Buckinghamshire and Godstone in Surrey—each grappling with the disruptive aftermath of massive sinkholes. The stories unfolding along the A413 and Godstone High Street illuminate not only the fragility of our infrastructure but also the complexities of repairing roads built atop centuries-old secrets.
For Little Missenden, the trouble began on July 1, 2025, when a council officer, out on a routine bike ride, noticed a small but worrying depression in the A413 road surface. According to Bucks Council, the officer’s report triggered an immediate response: police and council crews rushed to the scene, which was just outside Bubbles Car Wash, to assess what would soon become a major headache for local authorities and residents alike. The council quickly issued an 'avoid the area' warning on social media, and two-way traffic lights were set up as crews investigated what was at first described as a 'void' in the road.
What they found was more than just a pothole. Digging deeper—literally—investigators discovered an old, now-defunct drainage channel running nearly two meters beneath the road surface. An archaeology officer was brought in, and it became clear that the channel predated the current road, likely dating back to the 18th century when the turnpike road was first constructed. Bucks Council explained, "It was clear that the channel pre-dated the road and perhaps was associated with the formation of the turnpike road in the 18th Century." This historical twist didn’t pose an immediate safety risk, but as the council pointed out, "it was however important that this was addressed to preserve the future structural integrity of the A-road, so works were planned with immediate effect."
The culprit behind the collapse? Localised water ingress. In layman’s terms, unwanted water had seeped into the underground structures, exploiting old weaknesses and creating the sinkhole. Within days, the small opening had grown alarmingly. Abdul, owner of the nearby Deep Mill Diner, told the Bucks Free Press, "I saw it last night when I was heading home, it was smallish, a few centimetres, now it is half the road." It was a situation that demanded urgent attention—and swift action.
The road was closed for repairs and, after a flurry of activity, reopened at 6am on July 6. But the relief was short-lived. Less than two weeks later, disaster struck again: burst Affinity Water mains outside a nearby pumping station flooded the newly repaired stretch, prompting another closure. This time, the road remained closed for 10 days, during which the council "made the most of this time to resurface a large section of the carriageway." The ripple effects were felt across the community, with access to The Chilterns Hospital, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and HS2 works vehicles all impacted. Bucks Council noted, "We also worked closely with utility companies already operating nearby to coordinate efforts and minimise disruption and liaised with HS2Ltd/Align on the emergency works recognising that this is a key construction route."
Local businesses bore the brunt of the disruption. Abdul’s diner saw a significant drop in trade, echoing the experience of many small enterprises along the affected corridor. For some, the repeated closures brought home how dependent rural communities are on reliable transport links—and how quickly a single sinkhole can upend daily routines.
Meanwhile, in Godstone, Surrey, the situation was even more dramatic. Back in February, a massive sinkhole opened up on Godstone High Street, forcing about 30 households to evacuate. According to the BBC, engineers quickly identified that the collapse had started with a burst water main, which created a large crater in the road. But as Lloyd Allen, Surrey County Council’s infrastructure manager, explained, the story didn’t end there. "We don't know what caused the water main burst," Allen said, highlighting the complexity of the incident.
What made Godstone’s sinkhole especially challenging was the labyrinth of sand mines lying beneath the village. These tunnels, dug in the mid-1800s to supply glass-makers with high-quality sand, had been expanded unofficially by property owners over the years, creating a warren of passageways that now confounded engineers. "Sometimes you find one, sometimes you miss them," said Peter Burgess of the Wealden Cave and Mining Society, who described a "scattering of caves throughout the village." To map the full extent of the underground network, engineers drilled boreholes more than 30 meters deep, likening the search to a game of Battleships. The work was further complicated by the presence of underground electrical cables, gas, and water pipes—any of which could pose a hazard or delay.
As the months dragged on, the road closure effectively split Godstone in two. What would normally be a quick hop across the high street now required a 20-minute diversion around a gap of just 100 yards. Some residents enjoyed the newfound peace and quiet, but for local businesses, the impact was severe. Mark Cullinan, landlord of the Hare & Hounds pub, reported a 40% drop in customers. "When it first happened I thought 'okay, this is going to hurt for a couple of weeks'," Cullinan told the BBC. "And then they're telling you that there's caves under there. If we're lucky, it'll be open by December. If we're not lucky, another three months after that." Some cafes even had to close for parts of the week due to the lack of passing trade.
Excavators began the slow process of filling in the hole during the week of August 20, 2025. The council insists it’s sticking to its timetable to finish repairs by Christmas, but with the unpredictable nature of the underground tunnels, few are making firm promises.
Both Little Missenden and Godstone offer a cautionary tale about the hidden vulnerabilities beneath our feet. Whether it’s 18th-century drainage channels or Victorian-era sand mines, the past is never far from the present—especially when water finds its way into old, forgotten spaces. For now, residents and business owners wait, hoping that the next chapter in their sinkhole stories will bring stability, not another surprise.
