River Nene sinkhole: Repair plans 'don't meet requirements' as saga rumbles on

While one problem corner of Peterborough may have been resolved, with the sale of the Hilton Hotel earlier in August, Henry Penn Walk – lying in the shadow of the Hotel – is still nowhere near being finalised.

A sink hole appeared in the ground on the footpath a number of years ago – leading to the riverside route being closed off to the public, and it becoming overgrown with weeds.

The river wall has also bowed considerably in the years that have followed.

A long running disagreement between Peterborough City Council and Riverview House Freehold Ltd over who was responsible to repair the path led to years of inaction over the problem. It has been estimated that the repairs will cost millions of pounds.

Eventually it was agreed the work should be completed by the Freeholders – and in September 2025, it was announced by Riverview House Freehold Ltd that repairs would start in the autumn of 2025.

In fact, works had been set to start on September 3 2025 – almost exactly a year ago.

But almost immediately after announcing a solution had been found, those works were delayed, with a spokesperson for Riverview House saying they would start in April 2026, ‘when the river level is expected to be lower and the weather more suitable for the complex construction involved.’

However, that April date has come and gone, and no work has been carried out.

Now Peterborough City Council has confirmed the reason why – with the proposals submitted ‘not meeting requirements.’

A spokesperson for the authority said: “We have been actively working with the freeholders to try to resolve the situation, however, their latest proposal did not meet design requirements and we have not received any further plans to date. We are currently considering our options and hope to make a further announcement in due course.”

On a ‘myth busting’ page about the issue on the council website, the authority notes: “People have often asked why the council could not step in and carry out the works because of the impact it was having on residents. Doing so would set a dangerous precedent where owners of private land could avoid carrying out works they are responsible for, in the hope the council would step in. That would not be a good use of taxpayers' money and is money we don't have.”

There have been fears raised that the wall could collapse – with Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes among those to call for the hole to be fixed.

Last year, due to issues with drainage, residents living in homes next to the hole were forced to use portable toilets in the car park, while emergency issues with drainage were fixed.

The Peterborough Telegraph has made numerous attempts to contact the freeholders since April, but we have had no response.

The path was named after Peterborough bell maker Henry Penn, who ran a foundry near Lower Bridge Street more than 300 years ago.

Along with having the path named after him, there is also a giant bell sculpture on Bridge Street in his honour, located outside the Magistrates’ Court.