15 March 2024 , 12:56
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Residents have been left 'living on the edge of a cliff' and fear their homes could be lost after a giant landslide began slowly destroying their gardens.
Locals in the landlocked Black Country town of Cradley Heath say they feel like they're living by the coast after their gardens began crumbling into a huge chasm. The massive landslip gets bigger every time it rains and destroyed multiple trees and two sheds in the last year along High Haden Crescent.
Recent bad weather has seen even more land crumbling away leaving homeowners worried for the safety of their families. John Hingley, 42, has seen the expanding landslip get worse year-by-year since 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.
"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." Residents 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 can be seen standing on the edge of his decking area which is rapidly disintegrating (Express & Star/SWNS)John added: "I didn't know anything about it until a neighbour knocked my door after we moved in and told us about the problem. 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.
John claims no one will take responsibility (Express & Star/SWNS)"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. 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."
Sandwell Council has been approached for comment.