Wowbagger - your street scene reminds me of the last time I was in Ljubljana. There was a similar scene outside our hotel, except for a couple of minor details - there was no fencing, warning signs, or men wiv 'ats. There was just a hole in the road, exactly like that, and the road wasn't even closed - so the traffic was running as normal, and just avoided the hole.
Southend Council/Your Water Company clearly know a thing or two about Elfen Safety.