Update: Police warning against drivers ignoring road closure due to sinkhole on A153 and removing signs are putting lives at risk

Police are warning people not to ignore or move signs and cones to get through while the A153 between Billinghay and Tattershall Bridge remains closed for emergency road works.
The hole beneath this road collapse is eight feet deep, say police.The hole beneath this road collapse is eight feet deep, say police.
The hole beneath this road collapse is eight feet deep, say police.

A sink hole opened up last week on April 9 as the surface collapsed into a drain beneath the busy road at the Twenty Foot Bank turning for Chapel Hill.

The road was initially closed and then reopened with temporary traffic lights installed, but engineers have since discovered the extent of the collapse and it was closed fully again yesterday (Tuesday, April 14) after the road deteriorated.

Sleaford Police took to social media with photos of the damage to illustrate to drivers and advise them against trying to get through and avoid the detours. They said this afternoon (Wednesday): "This is why the the A153 is closed at the Twenty Foot Bank Chapel Hill. The hole is eight foot deep.

"People keep moving the road closed signs, as you can see they are there for a very good reason. Don’t move them!"

They reattended just a few hours later after the signs were removed yet again.

Officers tweeted: "The hole is getting bigger! Do not remove the signs, you are putting peoples lives at risk by doing this."

County councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways apologised for the road closure due to the partially collapsed culvert just south of Tattershall Bridge.

Hole in the road between Tattershall Bridge and Billinghay - police have been looking into it!Hole in the road between Tattershall Bridge and Billinghay - police have been looking into it!
Hole in the road between Tattershall Bridge and Billinghay - police have been looking into it!

He said: “Crews will be on site this week to make repairs so we can reopen the road safely. Please use alternative routes if you’re making an essential journey. Thank you for bearing with us.”

One road user commented on the police's Twitter comment: "I hit this around two weeks ago and it puzzled me, as I drove back that way there was no pothole to be seen, just a delve in the road! Some bang as well, but car seems OK."