Residents still waiting for sinkhole court date

A local authority has written to residents, advising that it may be another year before a legal case is heard in relation to a sinkhole near their homes.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said in the letter to those living on Boatman Drive and Waterlily Close that a trial would begin from the "first available date" from March 2027.

The authority launched legal proceedings against Severn Trent and Redrow Homes at the High Court in early 2024. The sinkhole first appeared in summer 2019.

All three parties have previously denied responsibility for resolving the issue, which is thought to have been caused by a leak in the vicinity of the estate.

A spokesperson for Severn Trent said: "Given that the matter is the subject of ongoing litigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

Redrow Midlands managing director Paul Shaw said the firm was aware of the issues at Boatman Drive.

"Whilst the site was completed and handed over around 16 years ago, we continue to liaise with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Severn Trent Water.

"We understand the council is working towards a way to rectify the problem and we hope this leads to a final resolution for residents."

People living in the area have previously told the BBC they felt "abandoned" due to the stalemate between the water company, developer and local authority.

In a letter to residents, the council said it understood they were frustrated with the situation, adding that staff were working to "bring about a satisfactory resolution for property owners and residents".

The letter added: "We continue to monitor the highway and our housing and building officers will continue to check houses in the area."

Residents were thanked for their patience, and were told the trial was scheduled to take up to eight days and was likely to take place "later in 2027" due to its complexity.

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