| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by ChrisB at 13:48, 20th February 2025 |     |
The area in question was an old sand quarry - so likely a burst pipe (confirmed by SES Water) washing away sand(stone) quite quickly.
I feel for the owner of the house immediately to the left of the hole in that photo above. Its only ben built three years...
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by johnneyw at 12:43, 20th February 2025 | |
Our next door neighbour was recently in conversation with a old local who recalled playing as a child in the area that our row of 3 houses was built on in the 1960s. It was a small old quarry but abandoned many years before. The recollection was that there was some kind of small well in the corner where my neighbours house now stands. They weren't aware of it from any surveys though and off course, in a child's imagination, a modest pit in an old quarry site could be transformed into a well.
There's certainly been no sign of any subsidence or any further indication of it despite extensive excavation work carried out around the property over the years.... but the comment certainly caught their attention!
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Fourbee at 12:20, 20th February 2025 | |
The cause of the sinkhole remains unclear, but experts at the British Geological Survey (BGS) say it could be caused by a burst water main.
When new properties are added (as it seems in the Godstone case) water companies can increase the pressure in the main which leads to burst pipes; something else to add to their ongoing charge sheet if that is the case.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:21, 19th February 2025 | |
Here in Nailsea, we are very much within the historic mining area of the North Somerset coalfield. We moved house, just over a year ago, and our building surveys were commendably detailed.
When we moved into our previous house in Nailsea, some 25 years ago, the searches were similarly detailed: they named an historic mine shaft (the nearest to our property) and were able to give its location to within a very few feet.
We have never had any problems with subsidence or sink holes: more of an issue was the bluddy huge willow tree, with its roots soaking up water from most of the back garden, causing some slight settlement of the brickwork.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by eightonedee at 22:48, 19th February 2025 | |
Personally, I'd be looking to sue my property surveyor / conveyancer for not identifying those issues, if they weren't. Shocked
Unfortunately these problems lie outside the "usual" residential searches (other than in mining areas or brine subsidence areas where specific additional searches are commonly undertaken), and unless there are visible subsidence cracks or similar, this would be outside a building condition survey.
When I was in practice acting for developers, I'd do an enhanced environmental search which would in broad terms indicate if the local geology indicated a risk of subsidence, and any competent developer should undertake geotechnical surveys. The problem insofar as I am aware is that in areas with soluble substrata these sinkholes can develop rapidly if (for example) there's a leak from an underground water main.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:10, 19th February 2025 | |
The evacuated properties were built about three years ago, on the site of a former sand quarry. Local residents also believe there are caves underneath the area.
Personally, I'd be looking to sue my property surveyor / conveyancer for not identifying those issues, if they weren't.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by JayMac at 21:00, 19th February 2025 | |
The one in Godstone is becoming a wider problem. Wider and wider.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:43, 19th February 2025 | |
Another one - rather scary. From the BBC:
Huge sinkhole swallows up more of Surrey street
A huge sinkhole in a street in Surrey is continuing to grow and swallow up more road, with the county council declaring a major incident.
The original hole first appeared in Godstone High Street late on Monday night, growing to at least 65ft (20m) long by Tuesday lunchtime.
A second opening has now appeared, with a car teetering on the brink and the owner unable to move it.
Families have been evacuated from their homes over fears of an explosion caused by exposed cables, with one resident saying the street now "sounded like a waterfall".
The evacuated properties were built about three years ago, on the site of a former sand quarry. Local residents also believe there are caves underneath the area.
Noosh Miri and her family were among those evacuated from the area by police. "We got a violent knocking on the door. As I opened the door, it sounded like I was in a waterfall because the sinkhole was right in front of my doorstep," she said. "The policewoman told us we needed to get out straight away, and in the space of 10 minutes, we got the kids dressed, we grabbed the nearest things that we could find."
The family have now been found temporary accommodation by their insurers, but she said she was prepared "for a good couple of months" before being able to move back in.
(Article continues)
A huge sinkhole in a street in Surrey is continuing to grow and swallow up more road, with the county council declaring a major incident.
The original hole first appeared in Godstone High Street late on Monday night, growing to at least 65ft (20m) long by Tuesday lunchtime.
A second opening has now appeared, with a car teetering on the brink and the owner unable to move it.
Families have been evacuated from their homes over fears of an explosion caused by exposed cables, with one resident saying the street now "sounded like a waterfall".
The evacuated properties were built about three years ago, on the site of a former sand quarry. Local residents also believe there are caves underneath the area.
Noosh Miri and her family were among those evacuated from the area by police. "We got a violent knocking on the door. As I opened the door, it sounded like I was in a waterfall because the sinkhole was right in front of my doorstep," she said. "The policewoman told us we needed to get out straight away, and in the space of 10 minutes, we got the kids dressed, we grabbed the nearest things that we could find."
The family have now been found temporary accommodation by their insurers, but she said she was prepared "for a good couple of months" before being able to move back in.
(Article continues)
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:36, 6th December 2024 | |
There have been some - sometimes blamed on badgers.
They have been mentioned here on the Coffee Shop forum in the past - I'll do some digging (so to speak)
They have been mentioned here on the Coffee Shop forum in the past - I'll do some digging (so to speak)
Part of the benefits of HS2..........
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68326138
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Mark A at 08:28, 6th December 2024 | |
On the topic of the Nant Morlais, Pant, Merthyr Tydfil sinkhole, the local authority has been providing updates - the culprit is that the little estate there is built on made ground, with a culvert beneath to carry the occasionally energetic mountain stream. On November 24th, some residents thought that the rumbling noises were thunder, but the source was a progressive collapse of the culvert after the heavy rain then, the void taking six days to propagate to the surface.
Mark
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Oxonhutch at 21:17, 5th December 2024 | |
Has a sink hole ever appeared below a railway line?
There must be many locations where running water could potentially cause a problem.
There must be many locations where running water could potentially cause a problem.
Up near Dalton-in-Furness, in Cumbria, a Furness Railway locomotive lies to this day in one - entombed for ever.
Lindal railway incident
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:54, 5th December 2024 | |
There have been some - sometimes blamed on badgers.
They have been mentioned here on the Coffee Shop forum in the past - I'll do some digging (so to speak)
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by froome at 20:50, 5th December 2024 | |
Has a sink hole ever appeared below a railway line?
There must be many locations where running water could potentially cause a problem.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:05, 5th December 2024 | |
From the BBC:
Sinkhole gets bigger as storm delays homecoming
A giant sinkhole that forced residents from their homes is getting bigger.
The void emerged on Nant Morlais in Pant, Merthyr Tydfil, on Sunday and was said at the time to be 9-12m (30-40ft) deep and five metres (16ft) wide.
There were high hopes residents would be able to return to their homes soon. But Merthyr Tydfil council confirmed that idea was now on hold.
It said bad weather meant there was now more water in the chasm and that Welsh Water had had to stop work so a crane could be brought in to stabilise it. Pumps trying to divert the river were struggling to cope, said the authority.
"As of this morning, the sinkhole has increased in size," a spokesman said. "Unfortunately, this means that we are no longer in a position to allow householders from the lower end of the cul-de-sac to return home safely, possibly until early next week. However, this timeline will be heavily reliant on weather conditions over the weekend."
On Thursday night, a number of roads were closed - the A48 Severn Bridge between Wales and England because of strong winds, and the B4242 between Resolven and Aberdulais in Neath Port Talbot because of flooding.
The A48 between the Pyle and Porthcawl roundabouts in Bridgend county was also shut because of a fallen tree.
Meanwhile, National Grid is reporting that more than 1,700 customers in south and west Wales have lost power, while localised power cuts have also been reported in parts of north Wales.
An amber warning for wind has been issued for parts of the UK with the arrival of the fourth named storm of the season. Storm Darragh is expected to bring gusts of up to 80mph (128km/h) late on Friday and into Saturday.
The warning for "potentially damaging" winds is in place for the west coast of the UK from South Ayrshire in Scotland, through Wales and down to Cornwall, as well as in Northern Ireland. It is in place on Saturday from 03:00 GMT until 21:00.
On Thursday, the Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for rain, external and wind, external that covered Wales and other parts of the UK. Natural Resources Wales currently has a number of flood warnings and alerts in place.
A giant sinkhole that forced residents from their homes is getting bigger.
The void emerged on Nant Morlais in Pant, Merthyr Tydfil, on Sunday and was said at the time to be 9-12m (30-40ft) deep and five metres (16ft) wide.
There were high hopes residents would be able to return to their homes soon. But Merthyr Tydfil council confirmed that idea was now on hold.
It said bad weather meant there was now more water in the chasm and that Welsh Water had had to stop work so a crane could be brought in to stabilise it. Pumps trying to divert the river were struggling to cope, said the authority.
"As of this morning, the sinkhole has increased in size," a spokesman said. "Unfortunately, this means that we are no longer in a position to allow householders from the lower end of the cul-de-sac to return home safely, possibly until early next week. However, this timeline will be heavily reliant on weather conditions over the weekend."
On Thursday night, a number of roads were closed - the A48 Severn Bridge between Wales and England because of strong winds, and the B4242 between Resolven and Aberdulais in Neath Port Talbot because of flooding.
The A48 between the Pyle and Porthcawl roundabouts in Bridgend county was also shut because of a fallen tree.
Meanwhile, National Grid is reporting that more than 1,700 customers in south and west Wales have lost power, while localised power cuts have also been reported in parts of north Wales.
An amber warning for wind has been issued for parts of the UK with the arrival of the fourth named storm of the season. Storm Darragh is expected to bring gusts of up to 80mph (128km/h) late on Friday and into Saturday.
The warning for "potentially damaging" winds is in place for the west coast of the UK from South Ayrshire in Scotland, through Wales and down to Cornwall, as well as in Northern Ireland. It is in place on Saturday from 03:00 GMT until 21:00.
On Thursday, the Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for rain, external and wind, external that covered Wales and other parts of the UK. Natural Resources Wales currently has a number of flood warnings and alerts in place.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by TonyK at 17:23, 27th November 2024 | |
Whatever it is, it's in the past now.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by broadgage at 03:58, 27th November 2024 | |
There is no history of mining in the area.
Sinkholes, of whatever size, don't have to be caused by mining: natural running water underground can cause them.
Yes, and also running water caused by man. A defective drain, sewer, or water supply pipe can cause a sinkhole.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:38, 26th November 2024 | |
There is no history of mining in the area.
Sinkholes, of whatever size, don't have to be caused by mining: natural running water underground can cause them.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by TonyK at 17:39, 26th November 2024 | |
Hmm.
A random sink hole appearing (or, more accurately, disappearing) on your petrol station forecourt is not really what you want? I'd be straight on to the surveyor's department, regarding the searches they did before I bought the site.
A random sink hole appearing (or, more accurately, disappearing) on your petrol station forecourt is not really what you want? I'd be straight on to the surveyor's department, regarding the searches they did before I bought the site.
I don't think it was of epic proportions, and probably would not qualify as a sink hole. Whatever it was, and I have bought only 5 litres of petrol in 15 months so do not have first hand knowledge, it was enough to put the tanker driver off unloading. There is no history of mining in the area.
| Re: Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:50, 24th November 2024 | |
Hmm.
A random sink hole appearing (or, more accurately, disappearing) on your petrol station forecourt is not really what you want? I'd be straight on to the surveyor's department, regarding the searches they did before I bought the site.
| Sink holes - a wider problem? Posted by TonyK at 20:38, 24th November 2024 | |
Two years later, it is reported that UK infrastructure is at risk of russian, or russian inspired hacking attacks, this being in retaliation for the UK supporting Ukraine.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqxezer7nqo report here.
The main concern appears to be cyber attacks affecting electricity supply, but oil products distribution would also seem to be a risk.
When I saw the "No Fuel" sign outside our nearby Tesco filling station, I thought this had started - not that I care. But it was just a hole that had appeared on the forecourt somewhere. Until fixed, tanker deliveries could not be made.
