Huge sinkhole swallows social club’s toilets after recent downpours – as bosses fear they must stay shut for another 18 months
- The sinkhole formed beneath the toilets of the Cwmfelin Social Club in Swansea
Bosses of a social club fear it might have to stay shut for another 18 months after its toilets were swallowed by a growing sinkhole in recent bad weather.
Construction experts were called after the ground collapsed beneath the toilet block of the Cwmfelin Social Club, in Swansea, South Wales, leaving a gaping hole.
It was initially believed the historic, 76-year-old club would only need to close for a few weeks while repairs took place.
But officials have now been told work will take between up to a year and a half to complete to ensure its safe to reopen to residents.
Club secretary Michael Kennedy said it began as a small hole in the tarmac but after recent downpours it grew – with cracks eventually forming – before the toilets ‘caved in’.
Bosses of a social club fear it might have stay shut for 18 months after its toilets were swallowed by a sinkhole (pictured)
Construction experts were called in after the ground collapsed beneath the toilet block of the Cwmfelin Social Club, in Swansea, South Wales. and left a gaping hole
Mr Kennedy said: ‘It started back in January 2022, there was just a small little hole in the carpark – we reported it to the insurance company the and it had been getting gradually worse.
READ MORE: Social club is forced to close after huge sinkhole opens up beneath it after starting off as ‘just a little hole’ in the tarmac
‘But then last month, with all the poor weather we’ve had, it got really serious and big cracks formed and the toilets fell in.’
‘It’s a safety issue, the culvert beneath the club has collapsed and the hole is about 10metres down.
‘We did fill in the hole temporarily, but it’s now reappeared after the wet weather – it’s so deep you can’t really see the bottom!’
Mr Kennedy said subsidence has been a long standing issue – and was devastated to see the extent of the damage.
He said earlier this month when the club was facing closure: ‘Last Tuesday the hole was there but it was small and it wasn’t affecting anyone, and since then it has collapsed very, very considerably.
‘I couldn’t believe it, I mean gee whiz, it started off as just a little hole in the tarmac.’
It was believed the 76-year-old club (pictured) would only need to close for a few weeks while repairs took place
He said closure of the club would be devastating for regulars as it was the hub of the community.
In a statement online, the club added: ‘It’s with great regret to inform all our wonderful members and staff, the club will not re-open for at least 12-18 months due to the severity of the situation.
‘The sinkhole is a lot worse than first expected, we are doing our utmost to resolve the issue but early signs not good. We as a club are very saddened.’
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