An underground tunnel has been discovered eight metres beneath Godstone High Street, where a major road collapse occurred in February 2025, Surrey County Council confirmed today (5 June).
Discovery Made During Borehole Testing
As part of ongoing investigations, Highways Officers conducting borehole testing deployed a manual camera and located a void far beneath the road surface. The tunnel’s presence has triggered immediate specialist surveys to determine its length, purpose, and connection to the collapse.
Investigations are also continuing into a burst pipe initially identified as the possible cause, with SES Water leading that inquiry.
Long-Term Utility Restoration and Road Repairs
Efforts to restore utilities and rebuild infrastructure are underway but are expected to take several months. Temporary utility connections are currently in place for gas, electricity, water, and telecoms, but full permanent reconnections and replacements must be scheduled before roadworks can begin.
Surrey County Council outlined a three-phase approach:
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Reconnect Utilities – All main service lines must be rebuilt or reconnected to homes and businesses.
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Design Repair Strategy – Surveys will inform the exact repair plan, including the sequence of reconnections.
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Full Area Reconstruction – The road, pavements, and surrounding infrastructure will be rebuilt, followed by site clearance.
Official Statement
Matt Furniss, Surrey’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and Economic Growth, said:
“This continues to be a highly complex incident involving a number of investigations led by our Highways Officers and other agencies, including specialist teams and utility companies.”
“Thorough investigations need to continue to understand the cause of the collapse and how we fully and effectively repair the area. We hope to have the road re-opened during December this year, but our focus will be on ensuring the road is safe to use.”
Highways Officers are on-site daily and hosted a public meeting on Thursday evening to keep local residents and businesses informed.
Impact on Local Community
Businesses and residents along the High Street have been significantly affected by the ongoing road closure, now in its fourth month. The council says it is working to minimise disruption during this extended recovery period.
