Life has been much quieter than usual in a quaint Surrey village. Six weeks on from a huge sinkhole swallowed up half of Godstone high street, neighbours and businesses are still reeling from the impact.

What caused the road to dramatically collapse is still unknown even after six weeks of hard work. Surrey Highways teams from Surrey County Council state it could take “several months” for the hole to be fixed and the road to be cleared to return to normal.

The local democracy reporting service (LDRS) spoke to residents and business owners about what life has been like the last few weeks.

Carol Ward on Godstone Green. Picture by Emily Dalton

“It’s completely transformed my life,” said Carol Ward, who has only lived in the village for a year. Before the hole wrecked the high street, Carol said she was feeling a bit isolated. Carol, who cares for her elderly mum, was not evacuated but lives near the cordons on the high street.

Soon after the road collapsed, Carol set up a support group for people who wanted to help, those who needed support and to share information. “I’m more out there in the community, I’m doing more to help and support other people,” she told the LDRS.

“It has impacted the whole of the Godstone community,” Carol said. “I’ve got an elderly mum and she finds it more difficult to access the green as she has to go the long way round because of the barriers.” What used to be a simple walk down the high street to the shops, pubs and pond, now locals have to walk on hilly roads and paths to connect with the other side of the village.

Good news finally came knocking last week as some residents who had been evacuated were told they could safely return home. Out of the 26 that were allowed back only four families have returned, according to leader of Tandridge District Council, Catherine Sayer.

Not everyone has been disrupted by the 65ft hole, some have been making the most of the road closure by calmly working from home, keeping the windows wide open or sunbathing in the garden.

“It’s been heavenly,” said one neighbour who did not give her name. “It’s been so peaceful without the huge trucks rumbling past every five minutes.” Speaking to the LDRS, she explained how the “windows and doors shake” as the heavy goods vehicles roar past. The anonymous woman said she did sympathise with those who have had to leave their home.

Will McLean, owner of Dorwyn doors and windows shop on Godstone high street. Picture by Emily Dalton

“We call it the ‘north end’ of Godstone now,” said Will McLean, owner of Dorwyn doors and windows shop on the high street. Will lives at the other side of the hole but said the main impact of the collapse, other than a slightly longer commute to work, is his business has just dropped.

“Since the sinkhole we have not had one customer come in and order doors and windows,” he said. At least two or three people come in and order every week usually, Will said. “It’s ridiculous, I was busier in a national pandemic than a hole in the road.”

“I’m having to use my Reigate shop to subsidise this store,” Will explained. Although his window and door business started in the Godstone premises in 2020, if the lack of customers continues Will said he may be forced to shut up shop. “Unless [the council] helps us out, you’re going to have a load of empty shops,” Will said.

Many car parking spaces have been suspended in the village to allow heavy goods vehicles to pass through. But now villagers and visitors have nowhere to park. Will said he has had customers who were unable to park in the village to visit the shop and ended up going elsewhere.

Although Tandridge District Council has suspended business rates for those affected by the hole, Mark claimed: “What the council is offering is no help at all.” He argued many of the shops on the high street have such small premises they do not have to pay business rates anyway.

Mark Cullinan, who has been running the Hare and Hounds with his wife for over 20 years. (Credit: Emily Dalton/ LDRS)

“Godstone is really the epicentre of the world,” said Mark Cullinan, who has been running the Hare and Hounds with his wife for over 20 years. Nestled between the main A25 road and near the A22, the quaint Surrey village would normally see hundreds of cars an hour. But now it’s dropped to about 30, Mark said.

“We just don’t know when it’s going to end,” he said. “It’s crazy how in this day and age they can’t just fix a hole in the road.” Mark accused the council of “walking away” from local businesses and “doing nothing”. He suggested the highways team open part of the road on the high street with alternating traffic lights so some traffic flow could go down.

Speaking to the LDRS, the landlord complained that he has seen a 30 per cent drop in business since the road fell through. “Passing trade has just disappeared,” Mark said. “It’s very difficult to get up and motivate yourself in the morning when you have gone from doing 30-40 meals in an afternoon to two.”

Godstone is open for business sign on the high street. Picture by Emily Dalton

Signs advertising Godstone as ‘open for business’ have been peppered around the town, hoping to encourage more visitors. But shop owners have decided to take matters into their own hands.

Frustrated with the once bustling village now a trundling ghost town, shop owners have reclaimed the situation and clubbed together to make a new ‘Godstone is open for business’ poster with their names on it.

The Leader of Tandridge District Council, Catherine Sayer, wanted to stress that Godstone is open for business. She said: “The pubs, cafes and shops are all open,” she said. “It is a beautiful part of the world. The village green and pond look lovely and we’re surrounded by the stunning Surrey Hills National Landscape.”

She added: “The council has suspended all business rates for businesses within the roadworks cordon to support those directly affected. We are also reviewing whether our business rates hardship scheme could apply to a wider range of businesses.

“We will share details once we have clarity. Godstone is very much open for business and we continue to work closely with local businesses to provide support where possible.”

“We’ve done our best,” the council leader said, explaining those evacuated were either provided temporary accommodation or given £500 a week towards it. She added that the council and officers have tried to keep residents and business informed by holding public meetings, posting on social media and doing interviews.