Some residents living near a giant sinkhole near Merthyr could return home within the week. The massive 50ft cavity, which increased in size last week, first appeared right outside homes in Nant Morlais on Sunday, December 1.
The local authority 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 and the sinkhole has increased in size. Residents, who have been forced into hotels and Airbnbs, were allowed to return to their properties to retrieve clothing and other items on Monday.
Many hoped they would be able to permanently return home soon, while those closer to the sinkhole said they would not be home until Christmas at the earliest. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
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Speaking to the PA news agency, Anne Edwards, one of the people who has been forced from their home, said: “There’s nothing we can do really, the workers are doing wonders, but we have just got to wait and see what happens, it’s one of those things. At the moment they are looking at getting us in before Christmas.
“We are at the top end of the road, the bungalows that are damaged – there’s about five – they won’t be going back for a while. The front row they’re on a different services, so they’re hoping to go back this week. Due to the bad weather, there might be a delay, we don’t know.” The council has brought in three cranes to help stabilise the road, while water pumps are diverting the flow of the river.
The large cranes have been brought in -Credit:PA
Ms Edwards said she was not aware whether the sinkhole had become any bigger as a result of Storm Darragh. Idris Power, another resident, said: “The main thing is that the council are keeping us informed. I had a phone call this morning saying that access is available today, so we’ve driven up to get into the bungalow. I’m hoping that we will be back in by Saturday or early next week – that’s our hope anyway.”
Idris Power -Credit:PA
Another large sink hole has appeared in the back garden of a woman’s home in Wales during Storm Darragh. After the ground became sodden at sloping farmland to the back of the homes at the Heathlands estate, Gilfach Goch, Rhondda Cynon Taf, part of the land gave way resulting in a significant hole in the garden. You can read about that here.