CONTRACTORS were today carrying out tests on a street in Wallingford after a hole appeared in the road surface.

St Georges Road was closed yesterday after the hole was spotted between Clapcot Way and Blackstone Road, and traffic has been diverted around the section of carriageway which was cordoned off.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said the hole was 4ft deep and the road was likely to remain closed for several days.

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Paul Smith said: "A hole in St Georges Road was reported by a member of the public to Oxfordshire County Council late on Saturday night.

"Contractors went to the site to put out barriers and the road was closed.

"Members of Oxfordshire County Council’s highways team inspected the hole this morning and further assessments will be completed by the team today to understand what work is required.

"The road will remain closed while this work takes place. Diversion routes will be signposted."

When asked how long the road was likely to remain closed, Mr Smith added: "Further assessments are taking place today to determine what work is required, which will then, in turn, dictate future timelines."

Mum-of-two Trayc Claydon, a swimming instructor and nanny, lives nearby in Wilding Road.

She said the closure of the St Georges Road, where Wallingford School is based, would cause some disruption to traffic.

Mrs Claydon added: "The hole is near the entrance to the school and they need to fix this before the end of the holidays, otherwise it will cause mayhem.

"Hopefully the council will fix this in the next couple of days."