Home / Disasters and Accidents / Homes Cut Off By Landslides For Two Years
Homes Cut Off By Landslides For Two Years
2 Mar
Summary
- Landslides have blocked a West Midlands estate road for nearly two years.
- Residents' £400,000 homes are inaccessible, making them unsellable.
- Developers have been given a deadline to clear the site or face action.
Residents of a newbuild estate in Cradley Heath, West Midlands, are facing significant disruption nearly two years after landslides blocked the main road. The earth and rubble have made accessing the £400,000 homes impossible, leaving the properties effectively unsellable and residents feeling trapped.
Initially, a sandbag wall was erected, but it collapsed months later following a second landslip. CCTV footage captured the dramatic moment tonnes of earth cascaded down. This has affected approximately 12 households, forcing them to park on nearby streets and navigate through debris.
Beyond access issues, residents report persistent drainage problems, including sewage flowing into gardens during rainfall. The estate, developed by Dunedin Homes, also suffers from a lack of street lighting, as the power has yet to be activated on the six-year-old development.
Sandwell Council has issued a deadline of March 29 for the developer to clear the road. The council has indicated that enforcement action may be taken if the issue is not resolved promptly and sustainably. Dunedin Homes has cited complex geotechnical factors and stated they are working on a permanent remedial solution.
