There’s an even BIGGER hole in St Albans
WheN a terrifying abyss opened up in a suburban street, residents marvelled over its size and the fact no one had been injured.
But geologists have now discovered that the massive sinkhole may have an even bigger brother lurking nearby.
Tests suggest there is another cavity three times bigger than the 39ft wide and 23ft deep chasm that appeared in St Albans, hertfordshire.
It could take up to six months before the ‘significant anomalies’ that make up the new subterranean chamber are fixed, meaning five families that had to be evacuated earlier this month will not be able to return home in time for Christmas.
The collapse in the former claypit site, which was excavated in the 19th century and backfilled with waste from the area, was filled with 48 lorry loads of foamed concrete.
But hertfordshire County Council said a survey had revealed ‘a significant amount of missing mass adjacent to the site of the collapse’.
rosemary Broom, 69, and her husband Derek, 73, who were evacuated from their home after the vast crater opened up, have been living in a hotel paid for by their insurance since October 1 but have now braced themselves for a longer stay.
‘We don’t know when we’ll be able to go back – we have no gas, heat or water at home at the moment. We’re just waiting to see,’ said Mrs Broom.
‘All I know is they said they believe there’s another one near the other one, slightly behind it, and it’s bigger.’ Neighbour Ben Bagshaw said: ‘We’re hoping the insurance companies will help us out but so far there’s been no promise that’s going to happen.’
Some 58 properties were left without utilities after the ground gave way in the road. Chalk excavation in the bedrock below the clay pit is most likely to have caused the collapse.
The county council yesterday announced that a geotechnology microgravity survey had discovered the ‘anomalies’. It is now talking to residents about carrying out further surveys as soon as possible.
rob Smith, deputy director of environment for the county council, said: ‘The best interpretation is that there is a void of about 20m [65ft] depth which is likely to be an old chalk mine but this is not definitive.’