Cradley Heath new-build residents plagued by 'nightmare' landslip blocking access to their homes
Tonnes of soil, dirt and rubble is spilling into the road of a new-build housing estate as a result of a landslip that has been slowly getting worse over the past year.
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Some of the residents of Haden Cross Drive in Cradley Heath are trapped in the cul-de-sac part of the estate due to the huge mound of soil blocking their access road, almost spilling into the front garden of one of the homes.
The subsidence on the Dunedin Homes development first became evident in January last year when a tree fell in the woods uphill from the estate, and it was aggravated by subsequent bad weather.
An Andacrib concrete retaining wall was built at the bottom of the slope by Phi Group. The contractor's website says the wall is made of a 'durable solution' that provides a 'maintenance-free 120 years' - but cracks began to show just eighteen months later.
The land eventually broke through the wall and has gradually been spilling further since last January. Now it is blocking access to 12 homes, one of which belongs to Patrick Duggins.
The 65-year-old, who lives with his girlfriend and works at the nearby BMW branch, said he has spent up to £20,000 on his garden, solar panels, and home improvements, but says he will 'never be able to sell it'.
