'Extent of large void under Watford road won't be known for days'

Hertfordshire County Council has said it will be days until the extent of a void in a major road is known.

Traffic is blocked in both directions between Stratford Road and St Albans Road in Langley Road, Watford, today (June 27) after the sinkhole forming was discovered opposite the Southern Cross pub.

The permit for the road closure began at 9.30am this morning and lasts until 4pm on July 11, however it was an emergency closure and so how long it will actually be until the road reopens remains unknown.

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The void has formed under the road. (Image: Stephen Danzig)

This afternoon, a spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: “We have identified an area of subsidence in the middle of Langley Road in Watford, and have closed the road while we investigate.

“Once we have ascertained the extent and the cause of the subsidence, we will be able to plan works to resolve the issue.

“The investigation is not likely to be completed until Saturday, after which we will have a clearer idea of how long the problem will take to resolve.

“The road will remain closed in the meantime.”

The void is apparently mainly within the hatched area in the middle of the road but is extending into the lanes of travel.

The Southern Cross is currently inaccessible to vehicles from the front, but they can enter through the back.

The void has formed under the road. (Image: Stephen Danzig)

Staff were apparently told the road had been shut shortly before 11am and it was suggested that the closure is likely to last one to two weeks.

The pavements have not been blocked.