Canynge Square sinkhole could finally be fixed

A sinkhole that first appeared on Christmas Day 2020 could finally be filled in after residents in the surrounding homes raised enough money to help contribute to the council’s repair costs.

The hole in the garden in the middle of Canynge Square in Clifton was formed after tree roots caused a Georgian vault – which never had a house built on top of it – to collapse.

For the last three years, part of the garden and the road surrounding it has been fenced off, with repairs stalled as whose responsibility it is to carry out and pay for the work was determined.

The scene on Canynge Square on the morning of December 26 2020, the day after the sinkhole appeared – photo: Colin Butcher

Unlike many gardens in Clifton, Canynge Square is communal and owned by the council rather than residents, even though residents look after and contribute to its upkeep on the council’s behalf.

After residents were told that there was no money in the current or next parks budget to fix the sinkhole, Clifton councillor Paula O’Rourke suggested that if residents were to pay for half of the cost of the repairs, this might allow the council to do the work earlier.

It was then agreed that if the residents raised £50,000 – 50 per cent of the original estimated costs – the repair would be brought forward to this year’s budget.

Money was swiftly raised via a crowdfunder to which the donation sizes varied considerably, with one young granddaughter of a Canynge Square resident contributing £5 from her pocket money savings.

The sinkhole still remains three years after appearing – photo: Martin Booth

But then costs rose to £150,000 and there was some concern that officers at City Hall might renege on the original undertaking.

“We argued strongly that there would be reputational loss if BCC backtracked on the agreement,” O’Rourke told Bristol24/7.

“After another delay, the executive board agreed to allocate the funding to fix the sinkhole.

“We are very grateful for this and we acknowledge that this is funding that could have been spent elsewhere in the city.

“The model of residents’ funding work – and therefore getting it done as a priority – does not sit totally comfortably with us. However, as the person who first suggested it, I have to stand by it.

“With reduced funding for local government, we know we just don’t have enough money to maintain the infrastructure of the city, so if some citizens can part-pay for services, maybe it is worth exploring.”

Part of the garden in the middle of Canynge Square remains fenced off – photo: Martin Booth

Chair of the Canynge Square Gardens Committee, Nick Waugh, said that he is “pleased that the funding has been allocated but remain(s) frustrated with the pace of progress”.

Waugh said: “It is three years since the hole appeared on Christmas Day and six months since we raised funds through crowdfunding. We still don’t have a plan of when the work will start and finish….

“The community pulled together to raise money via a crowdfunding project.

“Many residents were reluctant to donate due to already paying an annual fee towards garden maintenance and paying council tax. But we realised this was the only way to get the hole filled for possibly many years…

“We are hopeful this will finally be resolved early 2024, with the gardens restored and the road reopened.”

An area of the road around the garden is also fenced off – photo: Martin Booth

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “We have identified the funding to begin the work needed at Canynge Square.

“We are now in the process of identifying a contractor for the project and will start the essential works in the coming weeks.

“We remain in communication with the residents of Canynge Square and will notify them before work begins.”

Could 2024 be the year when the Canynge Square sinkhole is repaired? – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo: Martin Booth

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