Investigations under way as two sinkholes open up

Two sinkholes 40 miles apart have opened up in the West Midlands region within the last 24 hours, causing traffic disruption.

Regent Street in Leamington Spa town centre has been closed eastbound from Augusta Place to Parade.

Temporary traffic management measures were also in place after a sinkhole was found on High Street in Brownhills, Walsall.

The local authorities for each area have been asked whether the incidents are thought to be heat-related.

Warwickshire Rural Crime Team said there had been "the sudden appearance of a rather large sinkhole on Regent Street in the middle of Leamington Spa".

On Thursday evening, team said the road was "expected to remain closed for some time".

Businesses on Regent Street can still be accessed on foot.

In a statement, Warwickshire County Council said its highways team was on site to assess the area.

Kash Chauhan, owner of Classique shoe repairs nearby, said: "At the moment, when I had a look at it, it's about two feet deep. But what caused it, we have no idea."

Chauhan says shop owners are worried about the impact of the closure on business.

"It is quiet, I hope it doesn't stay like this for long. Friday, there is plenty of people walking about normally, but because there are no cars being parked on this side, nobody is really coming here."

Walsall Council said it was aware of the sinkhole in Brownhills and its partner agencies were at the site.

A spokesperson said: "Severn Trent Water are on site at the sinkhole on High Street, Brownhills, carrying out ongoing investigations to establish the cause of the collapse.

"While this work is underway, temporary traffic management measures and diversions remain in place."

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