A massive sinkhole that forced Love Island winner Liam Reardon and his family from their home in Merthyr Tydfil has finally been filled, 10 months after a £4 million repair operation began. The 45ft-deep chasm opened up in December last year during Storm Bert, threatening to swallow nearby houses and leading to the evacuation of around 30 homes.
Engineers from Edwards Diving Services worked for over ten months to repair the broken underground culvert, which dated back to 1910. The operation involved filling the 33ft-wide crater with 300 tonnes of concrete and 3,000 tonnes of stone. Site manager Craig Howe described it as the 'biggest engineering job in south Wales' this year.
Liam Reardon, who won the 2021 series of Love Island, said the experience was 'strange, unusual, crazy' as he had to move out and stay in an Airbnb. His house, which he shared with then girlfriend Millie Court, was initially feared to be at risk of demolition but was saved thanks to the repair work.
Residents have praised the workers for their efforts. Grandparents Sheila and Meurig Price, who spent ten days at their daughter's house after the sinkhole appeared, said the workers had 'worked well with residents'. Project manager Jack Muldoon explained the complexity of the operation, noting that a metal box was created inside the hole to ensure safe working conditions.
The repair is on schedule to finish by mid-November, with Merthyr Tydfil Council thanking residents for their patience. Welsh Water is expected to reconnect sewers by next month.
