Residents in North Staffordshire face repair bills after a sinkhole appeared in their alleyway, with responsibility unclear.
Severn Trent said they found no water leak. The council said they don’t own the alley, meaning the residents must pay for the repairs. The sinkhole is on London Road in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Phillip and Lynn Mayland live nearby and watched the sinkhole get bigger. Phillip, 81 years old, said the hole was fist-sized at first but is now a foot deep and still growing. He worries someone will get hurt and thinks Severn Trent is somehow responsible, suspecting there’s a hidden leak.
This is a stressful situation for them because Lynn, his wife, has Parkinson’s disease. They go to medical appointments often, and Phillip needs access to his garage.
The growing sinkhole is very close and may soon block his car. He feels like nobody wants to help them and worries the sinkhole will damage things. He also struggles to sleep, concerned about kids falling into it and the potential for serious injury or car damage.
Phillip is seeking legal advice to find a solution. Since the alley isn’t adopted, residents are responsible, but most homes are rentals, which adds complexity. Addressing the cause is crucial.
Severn Trent denies any responsibility for the hole. Engineers investigated the site twice and discovered no water leak there. They checked the local networks, confirming they work. The council understands the problem; however, the alley’s upkeep falls on the owners. It’s their responsibility to maintain it.