That sinking feeling as hole opens up yards for a row of Barnard Castle homes

MYSTERY surrounds why a three feet deep sinkhole opened up just inches away from a row of Barnard Castle homes.

The six feet wide hole appeared last Monday night into Tuesday morning (October 24) in Tannery Yard, off Birch Road exposing cables and squeezing a gas pipe.

Chef Lee Humble was off to work at the Red Well Inn when he stumbled across the gaping chasm in the communal garden.

The 24-year-old said: “I was checking my phone and I just thought what is that?

“Good job I was watching where I was going.”

Mr Humble, who has lived in Tannery Yard for the past three months, alerted Bernicia Housing Association to the hole but there were fears residents would have to wait a week for action to be taken soon after it was reported.

However, once the firm grasped how big the hole was, staff from Bernicia and Northern Gas Networks appeared later on Tuesday to cordon off the hole and garden with a two metre high metal fence.

John Clennell, health and safety advisor for Bernicia, said one of the gas pipes had been compressed by the subsidence.

He added: “Northern Gas Networks have come out and checked there are no leaks – they are happy to leave the gas supply on for residents.”

A structural engineer also appeared on the scene to assess the extent of the damage, suggesting the hole was a result of soil being washed away.

Mr Humble said it wasn’t the first time residents on Tannery Yard has noticed something wrong with the grass at the front. 

Residents had noted the grass had appeared to have “sunk” in recent months and reported the problem a number of times. 

 
Andrea Malcolm, assistant director of Bernicia, said there were a number of theories about why the hole had appeared but nothing confirmed yet. 

Northumbrian Water checked sewers last Wednesday and found no concerns while Northern Gas Networks returned to excavate the hole to replace sections of the gas pipe. Ms Malcolm added: “The area has been securely fenced off with caution signs displayed and Bernicia have contacted a number of companies and organisations in order to address the “sinkhole” appearance.

“We are unable just now to determine a time frame for the stages of work, but will continue to liaise with residents to provide reassurance that the work will be completed as soon as possible, and confirm an expected completion date when available.”

A meeting with contractors was arranged for earlier this week to agree how and when further excavation will be carried out.