The biggest hole in the road yet

A huge hole which opened up in a main commuter road in and out of central London may force the demolition of nearby homes, costing local councils dear.

Experts believe the six metre gap in the A2 Blackheath Hill, south east London, may have been caused by illegal 18th century chalk mining. They now fear the entire area around Blackheath Hill bordering Royal Park at Greenwich could be networked with caverns and mines.

Transport for London (TfL), which looks after the stretch of the A2, is this week checking for other cavities under the road. And Lewisham and Greenwich boroughs, which fall on either side of the road, fear flats and homes bordering it may have to be bulldozed due to subsidence, and private residents are looking at an uncertain future. Costs are likely to be tens of millions of pounds for the councils and TfL.

According to residents, heavy goods vehicles have been part of the problem. Hilary Ball of Blackheath Hill said: "When 30 tonne lorries get to the hill they often shudder and stall. They shake so much the lights in my house rattle and my bed shakes."

Greenwich council leader Chris Roberts aims to tackle the longterm problems of the road. He said: "The idea now is to get the problems of Blackheath Hill on the Mayor of London's agenda."

The hole led to the evacuation of 110 people from their homes and to diversions that brought traffic chaos to Greenwich and Blackheath villages. Blackheath Hill should reopen on 3 May.