Closed
10 inch open sink hole and secondary depression near driveway boundary of the house Uplands, Mottingham Lane
Sent to Bromley Council 5 minutes later. FixMyStreet ref: 7704612.
I am writing to raise serious concerns about an ongoing and worsening issue with the pavement outside my property, which I have reported multiple times previously.
There is a persistent problem with sinkholes forming under the pavement, which appears to be caused by an active rat infestation. On the most recent occasion, the attending contractor informed me that he had only been authorised to carry out a temporary patch repair. However, he showed me the full extent of the issue: a significant void of approximately 18 inches has formed underneath the asphalt surface, stretching across the pavement area.
According to the contractor, the most likely cause is a missing brick or structural damage within the foul sewer beneath the pavement, which is allowing rats to burrow and undermine the ground’s integrity. He expressed genuine concern that unless this is properly investigated and permanently repaired, the situation could become dangerous. In his professional opinion, it would only take the weight of a car or delivery van parked on the pavement to cause a complete collapse.
This is a clear public safety risk, and I urge the council to carry out a full investigation, including sewer inspection and structural assessment of the pavement area. A temporary fix will no longer suffice, and further delay increases the risk of injury or damage.
Please could you confirm receipt of this report and advise what action will be taken to address this matter permanently.
Updates
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Thank you for your report, this is now being investigated. Information on our services and the timeframes we aim to respond in can be found: http://www.bromley.gov.uk/ fixservices
Posted by Bromley Council
at 11:58, Friday 13 June 2025
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We are continuing to investigate and working to resolve this report
Posted by Bromley Council
at 09:34, Monday 16 June 2025
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We have investigated this report and assessed the issue to be the responsibility of Thames Water. We have therefore referred the enquiry to Thames Water. Issues with Thames Water infrastructure can be reported directly to Thames Water via: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/ help/ report-a-problem
Posted by Bromley Council
at 10:41, Tuesday 17 June 2025
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Thames Water have now attended and carried out a thorough investigation. They have confirmed that the sewers are intact and that the sinkhole is therefore not their responsibility. As advised by your engineer, the next stage is for your team to carry out an assessment now that Thames Water have ruled out their involvement. Could you please arrange for this to be progressed without delay? Many thanks, Dan
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Thames Water have now attended and carried out a thorough investigation. They have confirmed that the sewers are intact and that the sinkhole is therefore not their responsibility. As advised by your engineer, the next stage is for your team to carry out an assessment now that Thames Water have ruled out their involvement. Could you please arrange for this to be progressed without delay? Many thanks, Dan
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Your report is being investigated further. Information on our services and the timeframes we aim to respond in can be found: http://www.bromley.gov.uk/ fixservices
Posted by Bromley Council
at 10:24, Tuesday 23 September 2025
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Our contractor has been notified to take the appropriate action.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 11:20, Wednesday 24 September 2025
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Appropriate action has been taken to resolve the issue.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 10:02, Monday 13 October 2025
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I am writing to provide an update on the ongoing issue of sinkholes and suspected rat infestation beneath the pavement outside my property. Following a previous report and an inspection by Thames Water, the council revisited the site. However, rather than undertaking the necessary investigation or remediation work, the team simply patched over the top of the two visible sinkholes. This action has left the underlying issue unresolved and undetermined. Not only does this fail to address the root cause—originally believed to be a structural defect in the foul sewer allowing rats to burrow and undermine the pavement—but the superficial repair itself has now introduced an additional hazard. The patched areas are uneven, creating a noticeable trip hazard, and the appearance is unsightly and clearly temporary. This situation remains a public safety risk. The concerns raised previously still stand: the void beneath the surface remains, and any additional pressure (such as from a vehicle) risks a collapse. I respectfully urge the council to undertake a full and proper investigation of the subsurface conditions, including a structural assessment and appropriate repairs to prevent further deterioration or injury. Please confirm how this matter will now be escalated and what steps will be taken to ensure a permanent and safe resolution.
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I am writing to provide an update on the ongoing issue of sinkholes and suspected rat infestation beneath the pavement outside my property. Following a previous report and an inspection by Thames Water, the council revisited the site. However, rather than undertaking the necessary investigation or remediation work, the team simply patched over the top of the two visible sinkholes. This action has left the underlying issue unresolved and undetermined. Not only does this fail to address the root cause—originally believed to be a structural defect in the foul sewer allowing rats to burrow and undermine the pavement—but the superficial repair itself has now introduced an additional hazard. The patched areas are uneven, creating a noticeable trip hazard, and the appearance is unsightly and clearly temporary. This situation remains a public safety risk. The concerns raised previously still stand: the void beneath the surface remains, and any additional pressure (such as from a vehicle) risks a collapse. I respectfully urge the council to undertake a full and proper investigation of the subsurface conditions, including a structural assessment and appropriate repairs to prevent further deterioration or injury. Please confirm how this matter will now be escalated and what steps will be taken to ensure a permanent and safe resolution.
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Appropriate action has been taken to resolve the issue.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 09:09, Friday 17 October 2025
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Not acceptable to sign this off as fixed. I have now taken it up with my local counsellor.
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Not acceptable to sign this off as fixed. I have now taken it up with my local counsellor.
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This enquiry is now closed.
Thank you for using Fix My Street.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 10:08, Tuesday 28 October 2025
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