Sinking feeling for locals as major hole closes road
A BUSINESS owner said trade could be impacted if a main Gower road remains closed long-term after a sinkhole was found beneath it.
The void was found below south Gower Road between Nicholaston Farm in Penmaen and the turn-off to Oxwich on Wednesday, September 30.
Swansea Council closed the road, saying it was at risk of ‘imminent collapse’ because of a sinkhole the size ‘of three terraced houses’.
The large hole lies just a few feet below the surface and extends for the whole width of the road, but cannot be seen from the surface.
Perriswood Archery and Falconry Centre is located just off the affected area of road.
Owner Brian Williams said that after a difficult year for the business financially because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s something he could do without, causing him to lose more trade from those who would usually be passing by.
The 59-year-old explained: “We had a 90% loss of turnover this year because of the pandemic and it will take us about ten years to recover from it. We have regular business all year round, at the moment we are open. Last night we ran our archery club night and luckily they all made it despite the detour. Depending on which direction you are coming from, the diversions add a few miles onto your journey.
“It’s a double edged sword. We could do without it because we have lost some passing trade with the diversions in place.
“But if it’s going to happen, it’s better for it to happen now while we are in lockdown and it is quieter.”
Mr Williams said that while the road closure is having a relatively mild impact on trade, the longer it goes on for, the worse off they will be.
“Right now, it’s costing us hundreds of pounds a week, but if it was August, it would be costing us thousands of pounds a day,” he explained.
“If it carries on into the spring, that would be a major issue to us. At the moment it is an inconvenience and it is having an effect on trade.
“But this is for us personally as a business, obviously it might be different for others and I feel for them if it’s having a more detrimental impact.
“The main thing for us is that people are aware we are still open.”
The carriageway was shut at around noon on Wednesday after the extent of the problem was discovered by engineers.
They were undertaking a geotechnical survey of the area, to find the cause of a dip in the road. It was during this process that a much larger hole was discovered. According to the council, these type of voids are common and generally down to localised ground water erosion of the limestone. They can affect farmers’ fields, property and road surfaces in areas like Gower.
Councillor Mark Thomas, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for environment enhancement and infrastructure management, previously said: “Our first priority is to keep people safe. There is a very real danger that the road could collapse at any time so there is no choice but to keep it shut until we can stabilise the ground and make the carriageway safe.
“The council is very aware of the importance of this route to residents and businesses and completing this work as soon as possible is a priority for our highways department.
“We are continuing to work with our consultants and are looking at engaging a specialist contractor to stabilise the road.
“It is vital in the meantime that no-one uses the section that has been closed. Concrete blockades are in place to ensure that this does not happen.”
The alternative route for vehicular traffic will be the unaffected section of A4118 south Gower Road, B4271 North Road, ZC167 Reynoldston and A4118 South Road.
This route will operate in the reverse direction.
All affected school buses travelling to Bishopston Comprehensive from the west (Oxwich side) of closure are being rerouted along the official diversion with one making a detour to serve Lunnon.
The 723 service which starts in Horton usually picks up children from both sides of the closed section but Davies Coaches are providing an additional midicoach for pupils living in Nicholaston, Penmaen and Parkmill.
Public transport buses operated by Adventure Travel that use the route will also divert via Reynoldston, Cefn Bryn and the North Gower Road, and vice versa.
This does mean that they will not be going through Penmaen, Parkmill and Cannisland Park but Swansea council said it is working with operators to provide a facility for these areas in the next few days.
Businesses in the area, including Gower Heritage Centre, Gower Inn and shops, are still open and will continue to trade.