A sinkhole has opened up on Rutland Street in Oldham during a sweltering heatwave, sparking fears among residents that the road could collapse. The hole appeared on Wednesday, June 24, but as of Saturday, June 27, it has not been repaired.
Residents Report No Action Despite Complaints
Mohammed Suleman, 42, who lives in a flat nearby, said he contacted Oldham Council and United Utilities about the sinkhole, but 'nobody is doing anything about it'. Traffic cones have been placed around the hole, but vehicles are still using the road, and the adjacent footpath 'has started sinking as well'.
'There's a big hole in the middle of the road. The road's cracking, and due to hot weather, the tarmac is getting warm so when the cars are driving over it, the floor is just getting weak,' Suleman told the Manchester Evening News. He urged authorities to take action before someone is hurt.
Fear for Nearby Properties
Suleman also expressed concern that the sinkhole could affect nearby buildings, including his block of flats. 'I'm getting panicked because all the ground is breaking. It's just going to be a matter of time before the road is going to open up completely and a car is going to go straight into the hole,' he said. 'I live upstairs in a flat and I'm paranoid in case it's unsafe. It's a matter of time with this issue, we don't know how long it's been going on for.'
He added: 'Where is the support going to be for the building? I don't want to be in this building and it collapses. It's been three days now and nothing has been done. It's a danger to the public. It's a busy location, kids are crossing the road with their families.'
Previous Concerns Raised Weeks Earlier
Zulfi Ahmed, 47, said he reported concerns about the road's condition on May 27, less than a month before the sinkhole opened. He noticed 'bumps' while driving and sent a photo to the council, describing it as a 'minor issue' at the time. He expressed surprise that repairs have taken so long.
'It's about safety,' Ahmed told the Manchester Evening News. 'There's a barber shop and takeaway there where kids hang about. That's two businesses that attract a lot of children, so for that reason they should have fixed it even sooner because of the amount of kids that hang about in that area.'
Oldham Council and United Utilities have been approached for comment but have not yet responded.
