Still misery for flood victims
RESIDENTS whose homes were damaged during flooding in Skewen but aren’t covered by insurance have described the “total chaos” they have faced in the months since.
Back in January, 80 residents were evacuated from their homes after a disused mine shaft filled with water and “burst”. Many residents have been left with thousands of pounds’ worth of damage after water poured into nearby homes and gardens.
Many have even been told they could face a wait of up to a year before they can finally return home.
While the Coal Authority previously stated it “does not have legal liability for flooding from mine water”, it did offer residents a £500 compensation payment to repair their gardens, which has since been increased to £2,000, a payment that many say is still not enough.
Of those affected by the flooding four months ago, 20 properties were uninsured and many who were insured have since found their insurers will not cover losses from flood damage.
Teacher Laurie Llewellyn had a knock on the door of her Goshen Park home at 9.30pm on January 21 and was given five minutes to leave. After three weeks she was able to return home but discovered that walls had cracked in every room inside.
She said: “My property is in the street where the mine collapsed. It’s at the top of the hill so didn’t get water into our property.
“In every room in my house all of the walls had cracked. I told the Coal Authority and they said it wasn’t due to subsidence and because my house wasn’t actually flooded I had to fork out £1,000 of my own money.
“Because I wasn’t actually flooded with water, my insurance policy will not cover the claim and I’m also not eligible for the Coal Authority payment scheme, so I have had to use my own money.”
The single mother had planned to sell her house but has since been told by estate agents that her home is “unsellable”.
She added: “I worked so hard to make my home the standard it was. It is now ruined through no fault of my own and the Coal Authority refuse to help.”
Lorna Reynolds also suffered extensive damage to her home in Jubilee Crescent and has been dealing with PTSD and financial worries.
“I live roughly five metres from the mine and the outside of my property has been significantly damaged and the inside of my home is constantly covered with orange dust,” she said.
“I have no home insurance as I’m a PHD student and I rely on disability benefits as my sole income. The amount of money offered by the Coal Authority is nowhere near enough to cover the cost of repairs. Since the incident my life has been impacted hugely dealing with PTSD and financial worries. I’m extremely disappointed in the Coal Authority’s refusal to accept liability.”
Keith Davies and his wife were evacuated from their homes and not able to return for over two weeks. He said: “This incident has terribly affected our lives. The aftermath of the flood has
left extensive damage to our area and the roads in and out. What used to be a quick and easy trip to the shop is now a 25-minute walk or an eight-mile drive. It’s total chaos.
“If the Coal Authority is responsible for the coal in the mine, then they are responsible for the water in the mine too.”
Now, affected residents will be offered legal advice by law firm Watkins & Gunn. Lyndsey Gordon-webb, an associate at the firm, said: “We have been instructed by a number of families affected by the flooding in January. We understand the effect of the flood has been devastating and continues to disrupt the lives of many residents. We are actively pursuing investigations into the legal liability of the Coal Authority.”
The Coal Authority said it was continuing to “offer as much help and support” to residents as possible “within their legal remit”.
This includes completing the first phase of the clean-up, repairing drainage systems, and offering like-forlike reinstatement of damaged gardens and outside areas on a goodwill basis.