Funding has now been secured for the treatment of a suspected abandoned mineshaft located beneath a former garage near Pontyclun.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council working in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly Government has secured the funding to undergo an extensive reclamation scheme of the pit which has been found underneath the garage complex to the rear of Brynamlwg in Cefn yr Hendy.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Housing Cllr Paul Cannon said: “We are very pleased that, through working in partnership with the Assembly, we can progress the treatment works of the site of this former mineshaft or pit in the vicinity of Cefn yr Hendy.
“We have already appointed a contractor and the area will now be excavated and reinforced for the benefit – and above all, safety – of the general public.”
It is believed that the suspected mineshaft, which is at present causing a distinct and clearly visible surface depression within the hardstanding of the former garage complex, was associated with extraction from the Bute haematite mine during the mid to late 19th century.
A successful ground investigation carried out in August 2009 showed that the “man made” ground in area of the depression was significantly deeper than the surrounding area signifying the presence of a shaft or historical pit.
The ground investigation proved that no voids were present in the ground but also proved that the original material used to backfill the shaft/pit was very soft which may have caused the depression in the area.
Treatment works have been designed to strengthen this soft ground in the vicinity of the shaft/tip to minimise the amount of future settlement of the underlying soft material.
A contractor has been appointed and will carry out minor excavation, crushing and soil strengthening works. The area around the shaft/pit will be excavated and replaced in thin layers with a high strength soil reinforcement grid sandwiched in between. This will strengthen and bridge the soft soil.
The current “small” retaining wall and some of the garage bases will be removed and crushed for use in the strengthened soil.
For the safety of members of the public, it is envisaged that the hardstanding area will be closed for the duration of the works which will take approximately two weeks. However, the public right of way running to the north of the site will remain open. Provisions will also be made for access to the garage to the south of the site to be maintained.
