A SINKHOLE is said to be causing travel disruption in a West Oxfordshire hamlet.

Stagecoach said its S3 bus service was unable to serve Fawler this morning, between Woodstock and Charlbury, due to the hole.  

A notice on the bus provider's website states: "We are currently unable to serve Fawler and a small stretch of Stonesfield due to a sink hole appearing in Fawler. 

"During this disruption we will be unable to serve any stops in Fawler or Boot Street and The Green in Stonesfield. 

"A temporary pick up and drop off point can be found on Pond Hill at the end of Longore."

ALSO READ: Oxford sinkhole caused by 'medieval ditch'

Oxfordshire County Council has been asked for further details. 

A sinkhole is a hole in the ground formed when underlying water causes the land to cave in. 

Areas with limestone or chalk foundations are the most likely to experience sinkholes.

The S3 runs from Oxford to Charlbury and cuts through Fawler via Laughton Hill and Main Road, but Stagecoach did not say exactly where the sinkhole had appeared. 

According to roadworks.org, Thames Water was due to start work yesterday in Main Road, requiring a road closure, although it is not clear if this is related to the sinkhole. 

ALSO READ: East Oxford 'sinkhole' sparks concern after no sign of council repair

Thames Water's websites says of the roadworks in Fawler: "We've carried out our first investigation on the leak on The Bank.

"We're now working with the local council and highways, so we can carry out the repair as quickly and safely as possible with minimal impact to local properties and traffic.

"We have had to close the road while the repair is taking place.

"We are very sorry for any disruption this may cause and ask motorists to bear with us while we carry out this essential work."