Norwich: Sinkhole concerns for neighbours in Thorpe Hamlet

Folk living in William Mear Gardens and Pilling Park Road, in Thorpe Hamlet, have seen five sinkholes open up in parts of the neighbourhood.

A total of five sinkholes have appeared in William Mears Garden and Pilling Park Road (Image: Newsquest)

Those living closest to the sinkholes - which are common due to large parts of Norwich standing on land made up of sand and chalk - fear more could emerge if work isn't carried out.

Christopher Yallop, 52, originally found the sinkhole which swallowed a tree on January 25 - which is still fenced off.

Christopher Yallop whose house backs on to one of the sinkholes in William Mear Gardens (Image: Christopher Yallop)

Mr Yallop said: "Our neighbour's bungalow became a building site and we're having to put up with a lot of banging and thumping which is still ongoing.

READ MORE: Sinkhole in Mousehold Avenue fixed by highways

"In other parts of the estate, there's an additional four or five other sinkholes which have appeared.

Tarmac is slowly sinking into the ground in Pilling Park Road as the number of sinkholes in the area increases (Image: Newsquest)

"My main concern is that the back of the house is sinking into the ground.

"Next door had to move out straight away because of what was happening and we're looking to get re-housed soon."

Those living in the area are worried more sinkholes may begin to appear (Image: Newsquest)

Harrison Geotechnical Engineering is working on behalf of Norwich City Council to fix the numerous sinkholes in the area.

Shirwan Saed, lives opposite one of the sinkholes in William Mear Gardens with his six-year-old son and one-year-old daughter.

Shirwan Saed lives directly outside one of the sinkholes in William Mear Gardens (Image: Newsquest)

The 39-year-old said: "It's been like this for around five weeks.

READ MORE: Sinkhole 'size of large watermelon' closes city road

"I used to let my children out to play because it's quiet here but now I don't feel it's safe because of the sinkhole here.

Work has started to try and fix the numerous sinkholes around the estate (Image: Newsquest)

"I'm worried they might get around the barriers and I don't want to think what might happen if they accidentally fell in.

"This should have been sorted as soon as possible but now there's a real worry more will turn up."

The original sinkhole was discovered by Mr Yallop in January after it swallowed a tree behind his house (Image: Christopher Yallop)