Residents on a quiet residential street in a Saddleworth village said they took matters into their own hands after a giant "sinkhole" appeared on their street over the weekend.

Former and current neighbours on Rumbles Lane in Delph claim there has been a battle with the local authority, stretching at least 10 years, over the threat of a potential sinkhole.

Walls, steps and gardens to homes on the street have become damaged, sunk, cracked and even "collapsed" in recent years while local councillor, Luke Lancaster, said a handful of homes "slant and slope" towards the hazardous area.

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The family of an elderly man who used to live there said he had tried to "fight" for a repair for several years after the access steps to his front door, as well as a wall and his front garden, "fell" into the road.

After his wife suffered from arthritis, meaning she couldn't use the steps and had to park at the back, the family made the tough decision to sell the home at a loss.

Now, photographs show the road has finally "caved in" as of Sunday, January 7 and residents said they banded together to shut off the street from drivers and other pedestrians. 

Hannah Marguerite Fisher said: "The sink in the ground has gotten bigger and the walls at the bottom are starting to crack and heavy posts are sinking forward.

"We are worried about them collapsing soon - it's getting a bit unnerving."

While the family moved onto the street two years ago, Ms Fisher said they knew it had been an ongoing issue for their neighbours for years.

She added: "The neighbour's wall is worse and their steps have been atrocious for years, and still are.

"They are in their 70s and have three children and a grandchild.

"They've always struggled terribly getting up and down but we're always ignored.

"The council has renounced any responsibility for years."

On Sunday, the woman and her husband then took it upon themselves to close the road when the hole emerged.

Ms Fisher said: "People were driving up and down and we knew it would only take a big load to come through and it collapse.

"There is water flowing where the hole is now.

"The road has gotten in such a state from the properties sliding, they have to take action.

"All the residents deserve this to be sorted."

Cllr Luke Lancaster told The Oldham Times that he first became aware of the situation two years ago, but said he knew concerns had been raised far before he stepped into his role as a councillor.

He said residents' sinkhole concerns are "valid" and, despite trying to get the council to take action in 2022 himself, he said he was unsure if anything happened and the correspondence seemingly "fizzled out".

He confirmed residents closed the road themselves for the safety of other pedestrians and motorists while he and Cllr Pam Byrne made representations to Oldham Council to urge swift repairs.

He added: "An engineer should be on site as both Pam and I have stressed to Mr Anderson, the head of Oldham Council highways, that an urgent response is now required.

"Additionally, Pam has informed the Environment Agency and the Canal and River Trust of present issues.

"Thanks are, of course, owed to the residents who responded quickly to this situation.

"I sincerely hope that these issues are resolved in the near future."

A spokesperson for Oldham Council said: "Over the weekend, we have been made aware of safety issues on Rumbles Lane.

"Highways officers visited the site and cordoned off the affected area and the closure will remain in place while the matter is investigated.

"Diversions are in place and we will look to address the issues as soon as possible. 

"We will provide further updates in due course."

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