Buckinghamshire Council initially granted infrastructure contractor Balfour Beatty three weeks to close the B474 Penn Road on a 24-hour basis and repair a sinkhole that has caused problems in the village for months.

But the work, which was scheduled to last from September 1 to 21, could now continue until March 22, 2026, according to a new announcement from the council.

Hazlemere locals reacted with shock on social media to news of the potential extension, with one person describing it as “unbelievable”.

The September closure will allow workers to carry out ground investigation surveys – with the broad, 18-month extension likely underlining uncertainty around the nature of a solution to the issue. 

In a letter sent to residents this month, a spokesperson for the council’s highways branch said local traffic would be “unaffected” by the closure and urged drivers to take an alternative route via Amersham Road, Whielden Lane, Amersham Bypass, Gore Hill, Ledborough Lane, Witheridge Lane, Church Road, Elm Road and Hazlemere Road.

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They added: “Every effort will be made to maintain access for residents within the confines of the closure, although there may be times when it is not safe to do so, and we apologise for any inconvenience.

“Elements of this work are extremely weather dependent and therefore may be subject to disruption due to adverse weather. If for any reason the works are delayed, the advance information signs on site will be updated to reflect any changes.”

Penn Road was also closed at several points in May when the sinkhole – which the council previously described as a “subsiding road surface” caused by “a historic issue” – became flooded, first necessitating an Affinity Water mains repair project and then a council inspection.

One resident told the Free Press that the May closures had caused a “nightmare” traffic build-up through the village, with some ignoring the ‘road closed’ signs and being forced to U-turn close to the sinkhole – potentially damaging the road structure even further.