SINKHOLE OPENS IN TOWN ROAD

8 London Marathon runner completes race for The Link

A WOKINGHAM man joined more than 40,000 people to run in the 2022 TCS London Marathon.

Kevin McDaniel entered the race to raise money for local charity, The Link Visiting Scheme.

The charity matches volunteer befrienders with people at risk of loneliness, promoting meaningful friendships.

It has received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest recognition a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Kevin is passionate about its work.

On the day that he completed the London Marathon, the unexpected warm weather was a bonus.

It enabled Kevin to realise his ambition by finishing in four hours and 17 minutes.

After the event he said: “Even before I took up running I’ve always thought this would be an amazing event to be a part of and it truly exceeded all my expectations.

“I had great support along the way from family and friends together with the cheering crowds, thishelped me across the finishing line.

“I chose to run for The Link Visiting Scheme in Wokingham and I am very grateful for everyone who has sponsored me so far.

“Funds will be used towards activities throughout December, including a Christmas Day lunch, so that no-one feels isolated.

“People can still donate on my giving page, helping to ensure that even more older people will feel less lonely this Christmas.” n To donate to Kevin’s fundraising page people can visit: www.localgiving.org/fundraising and search for running for link friends.

Collapsed sewer causes sinkhole on Wokingham road

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

A COLLAPSED sewer on a Wokingham road has caused a sinkhole to open, swallowing a tanker.

A team from Thames Water’s contractors have been on site since Saturday attempting to make the site safe.

Thames Water was at the start of a four-week maintenance and upgrade programme on Evendons Lane, with works starting on Friday, September 30.

The sinkhole appeared overnight, leaving the lorry stuck and the road closed.

It is next to Evendons Primary School and the school had to close on Monday and Tuesday while work was undertaken to establish if it was safe to reopen. Lessons resumed yesterday (Wednesday).

Thames Water has been working with Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service to confirm the recovery plan and ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

To remove the tanker, a specialist crane will need to be brought in, but due to the collapsed sewer, Thames Water’s crews needed to check the surrounding ground to ensure it can withstand the weight of the recovery vehicle.

This has now been done, but it means Evendons Lane will now be closed until December 2.

The damage sewage pipe is 4.2 metres below ground, and Thames Water needs to check on the extent of the damage, and how far this goes on for.

And once the pipe is replaced, the road will also need to be repaired.

Thames Water told Wokingham Today on Saturday that it had been working as fast as possible.

A spokesperson for said: “We’re very sorry to our customers impacted by the road closure on Evendon Road, RG41, today.

“Whilst supporting the repair of a collapsed sewer one of our larger vehicles has sunk in to a hole in the road.

“Our teams are on site, they have made the area safe and set up signposting for a vehicle diversion. However, at this time we expect the road to remain closed.”

They added: “We are working closely with the local council and other stakeholders to reduce the impact to local residents and the local school while we carry out our work.”

All businesses are open as normal, including Kimel Café and Trendy Cuts, but access is via Edneys Hill or Blagrove Lane only.

HOLE IN THE GROUND:

A lorry in a sinkhole in Evendons Lane, Wokingham on Saturday. Picture: Steve Smyth

October15th and16th 2022

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