Stretch of road cordoned off by police and fire service

A road was blocked off this evening after a sinkhole opened up, posing a danger to passing vehicles.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were called to Merton Road in Bootle at around 7.20pm after the sinkhole opened up. Merseyside Police put up a cordon the full length of the road to ensure traffic could not pass.

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Speaking to the ECHO, one neighbour said this was not the first time he has seen a sinkhole open up on the street. He said: "I've been living here for the past three years, and I've seen it a happen a few times. I'd say three or four times in the last year alone. It's always in the same spot."

A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue service confirmed they were alerted to the incident at 7.20pm and were on the scene by 7.25pm and had one fire engine in attendance.

The spokesperson added: "Crews arrived to find a sink hole of around 1m by 1m in the centre of the road.

"Merseyside Police were also in attendance and with the help of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service the scene was blocked off from Stanley Road to Pembroke Road."

An officer from Sefton Council was also at the scene. The spokesperson added: "The fire service checked gas readings near the sink hole and all readings were normal and the incident was handed over to Sefton Council who will arrange repairs."

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