A sinkhole has opened up outside Mytham Primary School in Bolton, forcing the closure of Mytham Road. Local authorities have urged people to avoid the area while the incident is being assessed.
The sinkhole appeared on the road just yards from the primary school, with images showing the tarmac has caved in, leaving a gaping hole around a metre deep. A local councillor, David Meehan, took to social media to inform residents of the situation, stating that a supervisor is on site and United Utilities have been notified.
Meehan praised the quick response from the local Street Care contractors, who secured and made the area safe shortly after the incident occurred. He noted that no one was injured, and the primary school was able to close normally, allowing parents to pick up their children as usual.
United Utilities engineers are currently investigating a drain next to the sinkhole to determine if it is the cause of the collapse. Meehan said it is not yet established whether the drain or something else is responsible for the sudden appearance of the hole.
A witness who was working across the road at the time described the scene, saying the road suddenly caved in as a car drove past. “We blocked the road and covered the sinkhole until United Utilities arrived,” the witness told The Bolton News. “I think it’s about one-metre deep and we’re not sure how or why it happened.”
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area and use alternative routes while the incident is being investigated and the road is closed. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
