What the developer and authorities say...

Robert Wilson, managing director for Redrow Midlands: “We are calling on Severn Trent Water to step forward and at least attend a meeting to try to resolve this distressing issue for residents.” He said the development was completed about 14 years ago, the drainage was formally adopted in 2008 and the roads in 2012. Mr Wilson says Redrow paid for a ‘comprehensive survey’ that identified an issue with the drainage system beneath the road. He added: “The responsibility for the drainage system remains with Severn Trent Water and only they hold the power to fix it. Until Severn Trent Water repairs its drainage system this area will continue to be affected from water washing away the substructure, and any works to the highway would only be temporary. We would therefore urge them to undertake this work as soon as possible.”

Stoke-on-trent City Council

A spokesman said the authority understands the families’ ‘frustration and disruption’ But he added: “Until the defect in Boatman Drive, which has been caused by no fault of the council, is brought to a satisfactory condition we will not be able to repair the highway and reopen the road. It is disappointing that the estate developers, Redrow Homes Ltd, have not repaired their ground or Severn Trent Water addressed their drainage defects in order for us to do that. We continue to work proactively with them to try and arrange a resolution to the problem.” He said emergency services were aware of the closure and have confirmed ‘it has no impact on their response to incidents’.

A Severn Trent spokesman said it also commissioned a comprehensive survey that it has shared with the council.

He added: “This report concluded it is highly unlikely that our network is the root cause of the subsidence. It also found there to be structural and highways damage in areas where there are no Severn Trent assets, further demonstrating that our network is not contributing to the problem.”