Warning that cars may be towed away from urgent mine safety works
The announcement has come with a warning.
Residents are breathing a sigh of relief after being given a timeline of when work will will be completed to make safe two historic mining features which have opened up in the same road in their village.
However, the news comes with a warning that any cars parked in a restricted area could be towed away.
Around 150 people living in Troon, near Camborne, took to Newton Road in the village at the end of May after a “significant” hole appeared in the road caused by a mine shaft. They were calling on Cornwall Council to rectify the problem as soon as possible as the resultant road closure was causing difficult diversions.
An initial six-month road closure, until November 27, was imposed while investigations took place, which confirmed two separate historic mining features – one in the middle of the road and one on a roadside verge a few metres away.
The latter has been fenced off since last year, with many residents previously complaining that work hadn’t been carried out to make it safe.
Residents have now been assured by Cormac – the council’s highways wing – that essential remediation work on both shafts will start next Wednesday (June 24).
The company stated: “Now that all investigations have been completed and arrangements with utility providers finalised, we are able to move forward with the project.
“The work is expected to take around ten weeks. As with projects of this nature, unexpected challenges can arise once excavation begins. If this happens, we will keep everyone updated and respond swiftly to resolve any issues.
“For everyone’s safety, the road closure will need to remain in place until the project is completed.”
Cormac added: “The work will involve a series of coordinated activities carried out over several weeks to remediate two mining features and prevent any further deterioration.
“Due to limited space on site and for safety reasons, it is not possible to work on both features at the same time. As a result, work will be carried out on one feature before moving on to the other.
“Once the project is complete, it will safeguard the carriageway and allow the road to be fully reinstated and returned to normal use.”
A clearway zone is currently in force on Newton Road, operating 24 hours a day until the mining remediation project is completed.
“We understand that parking is important for businesses and residents. However, introducing the clearway will ensure buses have sufficient space to manoeuvre safely and can continue to operate reliably.
“Advance signage has also been installed to inform road users of the parking restrictions.
“If vehicles are parked in or obstruct these zones, our teams will attempt to contact the owner before arranging removal. If necessary, an approved contractor will tow and safely relocate any obstructing vehicles.
“Please note that any vehicle parked in the clearway during the restricted period may be towed at the owner’s expense,” said the statement by Cormac.