RESIDENTS claim their homes are about to fall off “the edge of a cliff” after their gardens crumbled into a giant landslide.
Homeowners in the town of Cradley Heath, West Midlands, say they feel like they’re living by the coast and are worried for the safety of their families.
5
5
5
The massive landslip gets bigger every time it rains and destroyed multiple trees and two sheds in the last year.
Recent bad weather has led to even more land collapsing into the huge chasm behind their garden fences along High Haden Crescent.
John Hingley, 42, has seen the expanding landslip get worse year-by-year since moving into his home a decade ago.
He said: “I’ve seen trees disappear looking out my bedroom window, and I’ve seen two sheds disappear too.
Read more Money News
“And it keeps getting worse, two days ago it got even bigger and even closer to my land.
“When it rains the land turns into clay and chunks just fall down the slope.”
Locals claim the land started collapsing when a factory was built over 30 years ago but John had no knowledge when he bought the house.
John added: “I didn’t know anything about it until a neighbour knocked on my door after we moved in and told us about the problem.
Most read in Money
“I’ve got workmen in and they all say the job is just too big for them or their company to deal with.
“A lot of my neighbours are elderly so can’t do anything for themselves which makes it all the more difficult for me to try and fight it off on my own.
“People who have lived round here years reckon the land started to slide when the factory was built down the bottom.
“But for years it stayed the same but then over last few years it has just got bigger and bigger.
“We have contacted councillors, the MP, you name it but never seem to find out who’s fault it is and who is liable.”
Residents are trying to find out who is responsible for the land and Sandwell Council are aware of the situation.
Another homeowner Henry Robinson, 55, added: “It feels like you’re living by the coast and one of those people worried about their house falling into the sea.
“There you sort of know what you’re getting into but we couldn’t be further away from the sea in the West Midlands, so it’s been a real shock and a concern.
“I don’t let my grandkids play out near the bottom of the garden, it’s just too dangerous.
“I’m worried it will reach our homes or at least destroy our entire gardens and something needs to be done about it.”
Cradley Heath and Old Hill Councillor Vicki Smith said: “I can understand why residents are worried because it keeps getting bigger.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“It looks like they are living on the edge of a cliff the hole is so deep. We are trying to find out what can be done for them.
“As it is behind gardens and not openly viewable people do not understand just how big the problem is.”
5
5
