Fears Taff’s Well quarry blast that flooded Gwaelod-y-Garth homes will happen again

Residents who were evacuated from their homes after a quarry blast forced a torrent of dirty, brown water to wash down a mountainside and flood their homes are anxious it will happen again.

Thirteen homes on Heol Berry in Gwaelod-y-Garth, Cardiff, were hit when water from an old iron mine workings was displaced by the planned blast.

Kevin Duncan, who is part of campaign group Stronger Together Lesser Garth, said it had taken an “emotional toll” on residents, leaving them “really anxious”.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive was ongoing.

Breedon Group, which owns Taff’s Well quarry, said it would “continue to liaise directly with stakeholders as we work through the next steps”.

Duncan said he was told by the company that any future blasting would be in a lower section, some distance from the mine workings.

An initial investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the July flooding was an “isolated incident” and underground tunnels and spaces had “not been compromised”.

There were reports of water up to 5ft (1.5m) deep in some homes, causing devastation and bringing thick sludge in with it.

Many of those living in the affected properties have had to move to temporary accommodation.