Homes evacuated after sinkhole swallows road sweeper

Homes have been evacuated after a sinkhole believed to be from an old mine opened up and swallowed a road sweeper.

Residents in five homes were evacuated as a precaution on Monday after the hole appeared in a lane behind Aber-Rhondda Road between Porth and Ynyshir, Rhondda Cynon Taf, at about 14:20 GMT.

The driver of the road sweeper, whose vehicle fell down the sinkhole, was unharmed.

The council said engineers were examining the area and direct communication was ongoing with the evacuated residents.

Aber-Rhondda Road was temporarily closed by South Wales Police as a precaution, but has since reopened.

A council spokesperson added: "The Mining Remediation Authority have taken lead on this issue as there is a possibility this is related to old mine workings.

"Their engineers are assessing the sinkhole, and the council is on hand to support if required."

The Mining Remediation Authority said it was "working closely" with the police and council "to secure the area and carry out thorough investigations to understand the cause of the incident and any potential risks".

"If this incident was due to historic coal mining, we will design and deliver a permanent solution as quickly and safely as possible," it added.