Neighbours face an even bigger sinkhole in their lives
RESIDENTS of a street that collapsed into a sinkhole have been warned that a cavity three times as large is at risk of opening up.
A geophysical survey of the St Albans road where a 66ft (20m) wide and 33ft (10m) deep chasm developed overnight shows “significant anomalies” in the surrounding ground. Five families evacuated from their homes in the Hertfordshire town nearly four weeks ago have been told they will not be back before Christmas.
The county council survey revealed that homes in Fontmell Close and Bridle Close were built above a clay pit that had been filled with waste – but underneath the pit there may be an old chalk mine, and excavation was the most likely cause of the collapse.
One “anomaly” is significantly similar to the first hole; scientific modelling indicates it could be three times larger.
Richard Haddrell, 69, who has lived on the street for 34 years, said: “There’s a great deal of anxiety because people simply don’t know what’s underneath their houses and the major problem for that is that the value of the house is going to be considerably less.”
He said one neighbour had moved in the day before the sinkhole appeared – and the anomaly is beside their house. A carpenter with a new baby was frustrated at being kept from his workshop at home: “There are some people here who are in a very fraught state.”
Forty-eight lorry loads of foamed concrete were used to fill the first sinkhole but 58 properties are temporarily without gas, electricity and water.
Rob Smith, the council’s deputy director of environment, said: “Since we received the report we have met with residents to discuss its findings. We appreciate this is upsetting news and are continuing to work together.”