Charvil sinkhole needs further investigation, council says

The hole appeared just before school started

The cause of a sinkhole that opened up in a car park near a school needs investigating further, a local authority has said.

The 2m (6.5ft) deep crater was discovered in East Park Farm Car Park in Charvil on 20 November.

Scans of the area were completed over the weekend in an attempt to find out whether there was any further underground deterioration.

But Wokingham Borough Council said more inspections were needed.

Lee Cripps sinkhole in car park with people standing around itLee Cripps
The land is owned by Wokingham Borough Council

Before the sinkhole appeared families regularly used the car park, as it is located near Charvil Piggot Primary School.

The site will remain closed to the public until further notice, Wokingham Borough Council has confirmed.

Charvil Parish Council said it was working with the school to limit disruption.

Lee Cripps sinkhole in car parkLee Cripps
The hole has grown in size since it first appeared

The car park was fenced off after the large hole was first discovered, leaving school staff to guard the area and ensure no one fell in.

Days later Charvil Parish Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that more ground had given way.

A borough council spokesperson has now told the BBC: "We have completed a radar survey of the car park, which has indicated the need for further investigation works.

"These will confirm the full scope of the potential repairs necessary."

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].