A handful of residents have moved back to their homes in Merthyr Tydfil , 10 days after a 50ft sinkhole appeared on a housing estate. The massive cavity first appeared right outside homes in Nant Morlais on Sunday, December 1.
Merthyr Tydfil Council previously said the sinkhole was likely caused by the collapse of a culvert after Storm Bert hit south Wales six days earlier. Thirty homes were evacuated before the sinkhole increased in size due to further poor weather and residents were told they would have to stay away for longer.
Many were forced into hotels and Airbnbs and only allowed to return to their properties to retrieve clothing and other items on Monday. During a further update on Wednesday evening, the local authority said some residents had moved back into their homes. For the latest Merthyr Tydfil news, sign up to our newsletter here
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A spokesman said this had been made possible due to utilities being successfully restored in some homes. The remaining residents will move home once their utilities have also been restored.
The spokesman said: “Work is ongoing to fill the void at Nant Morlais. A 6ft steel pipe has been inserted into the existing culvert to support the flow of any overflow water going through it.
“Contractors are now onsite carrying out temporary works to fill the hole with stone. Utilities have been restored to some properties, so those residents have been allowed to move safely back into their homes today.
“We are working with utility companies to restore supplies to the remaining properties once the hole is filled, and when this is done the remaining residents will also be able to safely move back home. We anticipate this to be at some point next week.”
The hole is now at its largest – estimated to be about 40ft (12m) deep and 33ft (10m) – but engineers reiterated the site was now safe.
Among the first to return were Sheila and Meurig Price who were relieved to be home after 10 days at their daughter’s house. Mr Price told the BBC that it would be “nice to get back home” and get the “heating and television” working again.
“We have been worried but we had a meeting last night with the local authority and they have assured us that it will be safer now than it’s ever been.”
Recently Love Island star Liam Reardon revealed that the massive sinkhole was right outside his family home. The 25-year-old has described how he was having breakfast with his dad and sister when the “front wall and gates disappeared into huge sinkhole”. Speaking on the podcast he fronts with girlfriend Millie, he described how they had to pack a bag and get out as quickly as possible.