Families 'devastated' as sinkhole in street grows

The sinkhole first appeared in the street last weekend and was initially much smaller, but has grown considerably

Families could be facing a Christmas away from their homes because of a giant sinkhole on their cul-de-sac which continues to grow.

About 30 homes were evacuated in Nant Morlais, Pant, in Merthyr Tydfil, with some residents moved to hotels and other staying with relatives.

One couple said it was "horrendous" before Christmas, but other residents may be back before the holiday.

Merthyr council said it was not possible to allow people from the lower end of the street to return home safely.

"This sort of event is devastating and horrendous at any time of year, we all know that, but there's added feelings at this time of year," said Ruth Williams, who, with her husband Simon, owns the bungalow where the sinkhole appeared.

Mrs Williams was the head at nearby Dowlais Primary School, and her husband was a secondary school teacher in Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, for 30 years.

The couple, both 57, had friends staying in the bungalow at the time and they have been moved to an Airbnb.

The problem was caused by two landslides which came down the mountain and washed through the culvert underneath the street

"They are distraught. They're devastated to be looking for somewhere else," she said.

They said they were concerned for all the elderly residents who live in the cul-de-sac.

"It's a lovely community of people who have lived there for a long time - there's a sense of friendship and community," said Mr Williams.

"People say it's only bricks and mortar, but that's not actually true - we have many happy memories."

Idris Power has lived on Nant Morlais for 32 years, but he is now renting an Airbnb close to his daughter in Cardiff.

"It's affected all our utilities, so we can't move back in because we don't have any water, gas or electricity," he said.

Intensive work is going on in the street to rectify the situation so that residents can return to their homes

He said people in the houses numbered one to seven had been due to return on Friday, but that changed because of Storm Darragh.

"There's uncertainty for the future - we just don't know how long it'll be," said Mr Power.

"It could be weeks, the people close to the sinkhole know they won't go back for a while. It's just a matter of getting the utilities back in the bungalows and we can return.

"It was frightening at the time but when you look back you have to be thankful that everyone is safe. The council reacted, the police were there and keeping us safe.

"We just don't know when we'll be allowed back. We're prepared for the worst but hoping we and the vast majority are back before Christmas."

A temporary metal fence now blocks the street while engineers assess the scale of the damage and work out how to fill the hole.

It is estimated to be about 30-40ft (9-12m) deep and 16ft (5m) wide.

However, Merthyr council said the void was still growing, with efforts to fix it hampered by bad weather.

The council believes recent heavy rainfall from Storm Bert brought about two landslides and led to the collapse of a culvert, which allows water to flow under roads and railways.

In a statement on 5 December the council said the water level within the culvert had risen, adding, that "the water pumps working to divert the flow of the river are also struggling to cope".

Local councillor David Hughes is in touch with the families affected, but believed it was "highly unlikely" they would all be back for Christmas.

"The residents are happy but anxious about where they're going to stay if it's long term," he said.

"They are anxious about what's going to happen next week, they don't know what accommodation they're going to have - whether it's a local hotel or an Airbnb," he added.

Many of the residents have now been dispersed across south Wales.

Meurig and Sheila Price were hoping to be home this weekend, but bad weather delayed that

"We didn't know whether it was going to come across to our house," said Meurig Price, 84.

He and his wife Sheila, also 84, were watching the TV when they noticed police cars and fire engines appearing in the street.

"I had to go and have a look", he said. "A hole! I just couldn't fathom it out", Sheila said.

"We're just thankful how lucky we were, that nobody was injured," said Mrs Price,

The couple, both retired British Steel workers, were evacuated within hours and have been staying in Merthy Tydfil with their daughter Alison.

"The people living in hotels, it's them I feel sorry for - our next-door neighbour is in a Premier Inn," said Mr Price.

Earlier in the week Merthyr council had said some residents may be able to return home before Christmas, including the Prices.

But later the council said it was "no longer in a position to allow householders from the lower end of the cul-de-sac to return home safely, possibly until early next week".

"The timeline will be heavily reliant on weather conditions over the weekend," it added.

Additional reporting by Matt Murray