Stoke-on-Trent City Council launch legal challenge over sinkhole

A sinkhole appeared on Boatman Drive, Hanley, a few months ago.

Author: Hannah RichardsonPublished 17th Feb 2024

Stoke-on-Trent City Council are issuing legal proceedings against Severn Trent Water and Redrow Homes, after a sinkhole appeared on the junction of Boatman Drive and Waterlily Close.

It has been reported that fixing the extent of the damage could cause it to actually spread further, according to an independent report.

Commenting on the legal action, a Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesperson said: “We know the impacts which the highways issues at Boatman Drive are having on the lives of local residents and we are committed to ensuring that the highway is repaired and brought back into proper use.

“Now our investigations have provided more certainty around the underlying cause of the damage to the highway, the matter is now subject to legal proceedings and as such, it would not be appropriate to comment any further on this matter at this stage.”

A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “This is an entirely speculative claim which we intend to robustly defend. Given that the matter is the subject of ongoing litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

We've contacted Redrow Homes for comment.

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