Major incident declared over Shropshire canal ‘sinkhole’

A major incident has been declared following reports of a sinkhole affecting a canal in Shropshire.

Emergency services have been deployed to the scene in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch where a multi-agency response is under way.

There are no reports of any casualties and people living nearby are being helped by the fire service, according to West Mercia Police. The force, which described the issue as a sinkhole, has asked people to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was responding to a landslip and confirmed a canal was affected.

It added for “everyone’s safety, members of the public are kindly asked to remain away from the affected area”, while crews and partners “manage the incident”.