Sinkhole the size of a car opens up on London street nearly swallowing post box | UK | News

A sinkhole capable of swallowing a small car has appeared on a London street forcing residents to surround it with wheelie bins to stop someone falling in.

The cavernous crater opened up on Dunvegan Road, in Eltham, Greenwich, on Monday – just on the corner of the road, close to the kerb and a traditional red Royal Mail letter sending pillar.

The area around the hole has since been fenced off after locals initially used their bins to prevent unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians accidentally falling down it.

Pipework is clearly visible inside the cavity and it’s likely it will need to be inspected by the relevant utility companies.

It’s not the first time a large sinkhole has appeared in Greenwich, in May 2016 another crater appeared overnight in Woodland Terrace around three miles away.

At the time the Metropolitan Police reported a car was swallowed overnight by the crevasse, but luckily no one was injured.

Sinkholes often appear in urban environments when water pipework gives way leading to erosion of the earth under the surface of the pavement or roadway.

Local resident Andrew Hudson posted a photo of the hole on a local Facebook group this morning.

He said: “Next to Mayday cars cab office be aware.

“I feel sorry for anyone that has posted important letters in the post box there because they are not being collected anytime soon.”

In the iconic 1980s cartoon series Danger Mouse, the fictional secret agent rodent was based in a hideout hidden inside a Royal Mail post box.

However, the mailbox in question was in Baker Street in north London and not near this current sinkhole.

A spokesperson for Greenwich Council said: “We were notified of a sinkhole in Dunvegan Road by the London Fire Brigade on Monday, 11 September. Our investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and develop next steps.

“Until then, the area will remain closed off and reassurance visits will be taking place with neighbouring business. The road is expected to be closed for at least a few weeks and diversions will be place.”