Residents in Haden Cross Drive face access issues after a landslip blocks their homes and street lights remain off
Haden Cross Drive: Homeowners are really stressed out right now. A huge landslip has cut off access to their homes, and they can’t even park near their driveways. It all started back in March last year when a wall collapsed, and things have just gotten worse since then.
They tried to hold things together with sandbags, but the recent bad weather has caused tons of earth to slide down, blocking the road completely. Now, about a dozen families, living in homes worth up to £400,000, are stuck. They have to park far away and trek through neighbors’ gardens just to get home.
To make matters worse, the street lights on this nearly five-year-old estate have never been turned on. So, it’s dark and dangerous for everyone trying to navigate the area. Nearby residents in High Haden Crescent are also worried about their homes as a giant landslide is slowly ruining their gardens.
Reece, an engineer living there, calls it a “nightmare.” His driveway has been blocked since March, and he’s worried the landslide will creep closer to his home. With a one-year-old kid, not being able to use the driveway is a real hassle. He mentioned that the parking situation has just gotten worse.
For those completely cut off, it’s even tougher. They have to walk across other people’s front gardens to get to their houses. Even when photographers come to take pictures, bits of earth keep falling down. Reece thinks Sandwell Council should step in, but they say it’s a private road and they’re not responsible.
Another resident, Rachael, a firefighter, agrees that the lack of street lighting makes everything worse. She’s not one of the blocked-off residents, but she’s letting a neighbor use part of her driveway. It’s a real mess, especially with families trying to navigate the area in the dark.
Reece and Rachael both think the council should have done something about the street lights ages ago. They’ve been out since the estate was built, and it’s causing accidents as people try to turn around in the area. Rachael feels like the situation has been ignored for too long, and it’s time for someone to take responsibility.
Developer Dunedin Homes has been contacted for comments. They said they understand it’s their responsibility to make the slope safe, but they’re also dealing with legal issues. They started work in December, but it was paused for the holidays. They apologized for the disruption but don’t accept liability for the landslide.
Sandwell Council said they’re in touch with the developer and understand the residents’ concerns. They’re checking what actions the management company is taking to fix the problem. It’s a tough situation for everyone involved.
