Council apologises after huge sinkhole appears in quiet Derbyshire neighbourhood

Dog walkers in a quiet Derbyshire neighbourhood have had to temporarily stop using a footpath after a huge sinkhole appeared. The sinkhole, which can be found on a footpath to the east of Nailers Way, Belper, seems to have appeared overnight earlier this week, prompting Derbyshire County Council to close a section of the path until January.

The hole has emerged on a patch of grass next to the footpath and measures approximately one-and-a-half metres across and is around one metre deep. A spokesperson for the county council said it apologises for any inconvenience cause after closing the footpath until the new year.

A statement from the authority's highways director, Julian Gould, says: "Belper's footpath number 153 will be closed from December 11 to January 1. The closure will be in place from The Pinfold for approximately 25 metres to the northeast.

"This is to facilitate public safety due to a sinkhole next to the footpath. Access will be maintained, whenever reasonably possible, on the affected length of footpath. The footpath will reopen as soon as the work is finished.

"Derbyshire County Council apologises for any inconvenience caused while work takes place." The council has outlined a short diversion to help people navigate their way around the footpath.

Anyone wanting to travel northeast along the footpath can do so by walking along The Pinfold and on to Nailers Way. A short walk will bring you to a playing field with a gate, which leads you back to the footpath.

Anyone needing further information regarding the closure of the footpath is asked to call 01629 533 190. The council added that it intends to make an order under Section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to prohibit its use by traffic over the next few weeks.