A “sinkhole” that opened up on the A259 seafront road in the city has been fenced off.

The hole is said to be about one square metre and is beneath the tarmac in Marine Parade, Brighton, near Soho House.

It was spotted Tuesday morning and a cordon has been placed around it.

The Argus was sent a photograph by a member of the public who feared it looked “like a sinkhole”.

The Argus: The cordon in place in Marine ParadeThe cordon in place in Marine Parade (Image: The Argus)

Another person said: "It doesn't look very safe, cars are having to swerve around it. 

"I don't know what's underneath it, I dont think it leads to the beach."

Brighton and Hove City Council said the “sinkhole” will remain cordoned off until it is investigated and repaired.

A spokesman said: “A hole of around one square metre has appeared in Marine Parade.

“It was quickly made safe by our emergency out of hours highways officer.

“It will remain fenced off until our contractor is able to carry out an in-depth investigation and appropriate repair work.

“We have asked our contractor to prioritise this task.”

The Argus: The 'sinkhole' in Marine ParadeThe 'sinkhole' in Marine Parade (Image: Paul Davies)

The hole appears to have been filled with sandbags and has fencing placed on top of it.

In 2014, part of the nearby King's Road collapsed above the Fortune of War pub in Brighton.

It led to nine months of roadworks to fix the problem.

The road was initially re-opened to "light vehicles" only.

The Argus: The sinkhole has been filled with sandbagsThe sinkhole has been filled with sandbags (Image: The Argus)

That same year, people living in Sudeley Terrace, Brighton, raised concerns about their road collapsing after the ground opened up beneath the tarmac.

Earlier this year, a sinkhole also appeared in Old Steine Gardens, Brighton, earlier this year, to the alarm of residents.

The sinkhole was said to have doubled in size after a period of heavy rain.

Then in August, a car-sized sinkhole opened up in Crouch Lane, Seaford.

The gurgling hole was “getting wider really fast” and rats were scurrying out of it.