Overview

• Engineers say the February collapse sequence began with a burst water main, though the cause of the rupture remains unknown and no single trigger has been confirmed.
• Surveys have uncovered Victorian sand‑mining tunnels under the high street, and teams are drilling boreholes and mapping the voids to ensure the rebuilt roadway will not fail again.
• Complex underground utilities are slowing the tunnel detection and stabilization work required before reconstruction can proceed safely.
• Authorities have reclassified the incident from a sinkhole to a road collapse and reopened a section of pavement to pedestrians.
• Local traders report sharp revenue declines — including a pub down 40% and some shops down 60–70% — and say communication about the repair plan has been poor.