UPDATE: Brackley ‘sinkhole’ is just a ‘hole’ says highways team.

Police were called to what was feared to be a sinkhole in Banbury Road at about 2.30pm today.

The hole, near the Banbury Road/Bridge Street crossing, measured just one foot in diameter but concern surrounded a potential void beneath the road.

However, Northants Highways has since confirmed it is simply a ‘hole’ and added that barriers will remain in place until the damage is repaired.

Traffic is being diverted around the barriers and the footpath remains open.

The British Geological Survey (BGS), meanwhile, has today warned Britain is likely to face the threat of more sinkholes opening up in the weeks and months ahead.

The BGS has reported that, in a typical year, geologists would expect to see one or two sinkholes appearing – but this month’s official tally has already reached six.

One particularly large sinkhole opened in Hemel Hempstead on Saturday, forcing around 20 families to evacuate their homes.