Darwen homes evacuated after ‘sinkhole’ appears

Seven homes have been evacuated after an apparent sinkhole opened up following heavy rain in Lancashire.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said a road surface had collapsed at a new housing estate in Green Field, near Pole Lane, in Darwen, with emergency services called to the scene.

The authority said: “Our priority is the safety of all residents in the area.”

It added the site developer had been informed and utility companies were also attending.

People have been advised to avoid the area with road closures in place.

Some residents said concerns had previously been raised about the development being built in a former mining area.

One posted on Facebook: “A sinkhole, where there are old mineshafts, who would have guessed it!”

Another added: “I remember our old neighbour saying this would happen before the houses were even built.”