Work is still underway at the area of land in Cwmaman, Wales, where a culvert collapsed last week.

Excavation work has now been carried out in the vicinity of the culvert to ascertain the extent of the damage.

However, given the depth of the culvert, engineers have brought in an extended reach 360degree excavator due to the surrounding ground being fragile and prone to further collapse.

Large machinery, including a pump and JCB, have already been used at the scene in a bid to clear water from the bottom of the collapse and clear the edges in an effort to establish exactly what has happened.

On Monday further excavation work took place and engineers reached a depth of eight metres before the sides of the excavation within the poorly consolidated material started to collapse.

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Given the close proximity of the nearby properties it was decided to call a halt to excavation and backfill the hole to a safe depth.

Having examined plans for the area it appears that the culvert at the point of collapse is located at an approximate depth of 11m. Council officers have halted the work and are considering installing caisson support in an effort to reach the culvert.

Until the exact cause of the collapse is known, a permanent and effective resolution to the situation cannot be delivered.

Until investigations are complete, the site remains cordoned off and warning signage has been installed.

The land has collapsed in the car park at the rear of two blocks of flats in Brynmair Close, Aberaman. The incident was reported to the Council last week and officers have been on site ever since.

Due to the proximity of the collapse to the blocks of flats, the residents in three properties have been evacuated by their landlord, RCT Homes. Two are staying with their families and the third is in B&B accommodation.

(CD/BMcC)