Newark town centre street fully reopen following weeks of a partial road closure due to a sink hole and gas leak

Shop owners breath a sigh of relief after a busy town centre street in Newark fully reopened following weeks of a partial road closure.

Businesses on Kirk Gate are once again seeing foot traffic after a sink hole, which eventually led to a gas leak, left a 5m deep hole in the road whilst maintenance was ongoing.

The road works — which had been ongoing since mid August — were finally completed today after shops on the street had expressed concern about a loss of business.

One of the affected businesses was Newark Art Gallery and owner, David Moore, spoke of his delight at seeing the street reopened: "It'd been ongoing for weeks but they've done and finally shifted everything. It's just happiness all around really.

"They came along with an excavator the other day to clear the debris, the hole was filled with gravel and they topped it with ready made concrete. It was actually really quick once they got started.

"The moment the bollards and road closure signs went, people came to park in the disabled parking spaces again, families started walking up and down.

"The street is coming back to life and it's wonderful to see."

Nottinghamshire County Council has been contacted for comment.