Severn Trent water authority has been presented with a bill for £50,000 and it is pleased to pay it.

They have been sent the bill by Coventry City Council, which says a huge hole, which suddenly appeared in High Street in the city centre was Severn Trent‘s responsibility.

The council mounted a major investigation and the road had to be closed off to traffic causing disruption for well over a week. The hole which measured several metres across and several metres deep appeared without warning right next to the main Council House.

Council engineers mounted an investigation and concluded the hole was caused by a collapsed sewer beneath the surface that in turn allowed subsidence.

The council repaired the damage and has sent the bill of around £50,000 to Severn Trent.

A spokesman for the water authority said:

"It is not something Severn Trent is likely to query. The sewers beneath Coventry are our responsibility but the council manages them as our agents.

"It was discovered that the hole was caused by damage to a sewer which collapsed. The council has repaired the damage and sent us the bill. That is normal practice."