'Long-term solution' to fix 'significant' mine shaft under road near Cambourne may take time
Residents took to Newton Road in Troon in May demanding that Cornwall Council fix the hole as soon as possible
A long-term solution to fix a hole in a road caused by a “significant” underground mine shaft may take time.
That’s the latest on an issue which led to around 150 residents protesting in Troon, near Camborne, at the end of May.
Residents took to Newton Road in the village on May 30 demanding that Cornwall Council fixed the hole as soon as possible as it has led to a road closure and fears locals will face unsuitable diversions.
An initial six-month road closure, until November 27, has been imposed while investigations take place.
The hole’s appearance came just a couple of weeks after nearby Pendarves Street in Beacon reopened after six months’ work to repair a hole caused by a collapsed 40ft mineshaft. The work was delayed due to a dispute between Cornwall Council and South West Water (SWW).
Rachel Goodman, of Troon Residents’ Action Group, said at the time of the protest: “The residents have just endured six months of road closures in Beacon through a mining feature that created absolute chaos on the four routes that were alternatives at that point.
“We’ve enjoyed two weeks of being able to use the road through Beacon and now this one has opened up with yet another mining feature, which is potentially going to result in another six month-closure.
“In that time residents are going to be choosing between two routes out of Troon – one through Four Lanes with a seven-mile diversion and one that goes through Treslothan, which is not suitable for anything other than a car.
“I would say to the council this road needs to be fixed very quickly to release the residents of Troon. There are over 900 properties in the village – this is affecting a huge amount of the population and they need to act.”
The council has now provided an update through its highways arm, Cormac.
A spokesperson for the company said: “Initial investigations are now complete and have confirmed two separate historic mining features.
“One is located beneath the carriageway and extends to a significant depth. There is also a smaller feature in the verge, which has been regularly monitored and remains stable.
“Further work will take place this week to expose and assess underground utilities in the verge.
“Every site is different, and the need to work around existing services and to coordinate with utility providers means it can take time to develop a long-term solution and carry out a safe repair.
“We’ll continue to keep residents updated as work progresses.”