A huge sinkhole has opened up near a walking route in Caerphilly, much to the shock of locals. It was first discovered over the weekend, after passers-by saw it when out on their walks.
One man who is keen on photography was determined to get a look at the crater-like hole in the ground on common land near Graig-y-Rhacca housing estate in Caerphilly. It is thought to have been spotted on Saturday, January 14 at around 9:30am, and Penfold Brindle, who lives nearby, headed out to see what all the fuss was about on Monday, January 16.
He ventured out with his drone camera to view how deep it was from above, and posted his findings on YouTube. The footage shows the giant hole next to the main road, Addison Way, positioned right next to a public footpath. You can get more Caerphilly news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Penfold told WalesOnline: "I headed over there and got the drone up but it was absolutely huge. This also isn't the first time we have seen something like this in the area, as it has happened before. There is currently a fence around it and a few cones but other than that I can't see much else being done right now.
"There is also an actual stream running into the sink hole which we think might be the source of the problem. I think we will see more in the area if something is not done to fix it. It's absolutely huge. It was a lot bigger than I initially thought. Someone reckoned it was about 30 feet wide and 10 feet deep when we went to go and have a look."
People have been discussing its shock appearance online, after Penfold Brindle shared a YouTube video showing just how big it was on the Facebook group, 'Residents of Trethomas.' One resident said: "I didn’t realise how close it is to the road." Another added: "I reckon there will be many more to come when you think of them digging for miles from pit- it's the heavy rain, it's shifting the ground. I've said this for a while."
Someone else added: "There will be a lot more to come. Due to the weather changing. And the village used to be a coal mining village. It’s all just a matter of time."
According to National Geographic; "A sinkhole is a hole in the ground that forms when water dissolves surface rock. Often, this surface rock is limestone, which is easily eroded, or worn away, by the movement of water. In a landscape where limestone sits underneath the soil, water from rainfall collects in cracks in the stone. These cracks are called joints. Slowly, as the limestone dissolves and is carried away, the joints widen until the ground above them becomes unstable and collapses. The collapse often happens very suddenly and without very much warning. Water collects in these collapsed sections, forming sinkholes."
Zoe Rose-Higgins, head of public safety and subsidence at the Coal Authority, said: “On January 16, the Coal Authority was made aware of a ground collapse at land just off Addison Way Road, Graig-Y-Rhacca, Caerphilly. We are working closely with Caerphilly County Borough Council to make the site safe and carry out thorough investigations to determine the cause.
“If this incident was caused due to historical coal mine workings, we will design a permanent solution and carry out repair works as soon as we can. To report a coal mine hazard, please call us on 0800 288 4242, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
A spokesperson for Caerphilly Council said: "Our officers have been liaising with the Coal Authority as it falls under their responsibility. We understand that they have fenced off the area and taken action to reduce surface water in order to make it safe, whilst formulating plans for a permanent solution."
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