Work goes on to find hole in road
INVESTIGATORS are still trying to determine the exact location of voids as big as three terraced houses which have opened up beneath a road.
Part of South Gower Road in Gower was closed on Wednesday, September 30, after it was found to be at risk of “imminent collapse” because of a hole beneath its surface.
According to Swansea council the hole sits just a few feet below the surface.
The road between Nicholaston Farm in Penmaen and the turn-off to Oxwich was closed so contractors and geotechnical experts could survey the area and establish the extent of the repairs needed.
A Swansea council spokesman said investigations and work to fix the hole were still in their early stages.
He explained: “Initial work involved the drilling of bore holes so camera equipment could be inserted under the road.
“The latest work on site has involved the excavation of the road surface across the entire width of the road and investigations are continuing to determine the exact location of voids which have likely been created by water.”
Mark Thomas, cabinet member for environment enhancement and infrastructure management, said their priority was making the area safe for motorists to return.
“We are still in the early stages of our investigations to establish how serious the problem is,” he said.
“Our main concern is for the safety of motorists and others that use this route, so the immediate closure has been absolutely vital, not only to protect the public, but to enable contractors to move on site quickly and carry out the work needed.
“We have a geotechnical expert on site also who is providing expertise in terms of what is beneath the road and how we need to proceed.”