Frustration Grows as Formby’s Recurring Sinkhole Brings Traffic Chaos Once Again

Recurring sinkhole causes fresh traffic chaos in Formby as residents ask when a permanent solution will be found

Motorists in Formby are once again facing lengthy delays after the return of the recurring sinkhole at the junction of Kirklake Road and Ward Avenue.

Three way temporary traffic lights have been installed while investigations and repair work take place, causing significant congestion during peak travel times and adding to the frustration of residents who have seen the same problem return time and time again.

This is not an isolated incident. The junction has developed a reputation for repeated ground failures over recent years, with sinkholes appearing on several occasions despite previous repair work.

One of the most significant incidents occurred in 2023 when a large sinkhole forced the closure of Kirklake Road for several weeks while extensive repairs were carried out. Residents hoped the work would provide a long term solution, however the problem returned in 2024 when another sinkhole opened in almost the same location, resulting in further disruption and another road closure.

The latest appearance has once again raised questions about whether there is a more serious issue beneath the road that has never been fully resolved.

Many residents have contacted Formby Bubble asking why the sinkhole continues to return every few months, whether a permanent repair has ever been carried out and why the problem keeps resurfacing despite repeated works.

Adding to the frustration is the lack of publicly available information. At the time of publication there is no information on Sefton Council’s roadworks pages explaining what has caused the latest sinkhole, who is responsible for the repairs or how long the current traffic management is expected to remain in place.

Kirklake Road is one of the main routes through Formby and the temporary traffic lights have already led to long queues during the morning and evening rush hours, affecting commuters, school traffic, local businesses and emergency journeys.

The repeated closures have left many residents questioning whether patch repairs are simply delaying the inevitable and whether a more comprehensive engineering investigation is now needed to identify the root cause of the recurring ground failure.

Formby has experienced sinkholes in other locations over the years, but none have become as persistent or disruptive as the one at the junction of Kirklake Road and Ward Avenue.

Formby Bubble has approached the relevant authorities for answers on what is causing the repeated failures beneath the road, whether a permanent solution is planned and how long the current works are expected to continue. We will provide an update as soon as further information becomes available.