Sinkhole saga by Link Top Common, Malvern, flows on.

While Malvern Hills Trust workmen went out over the weekend and cleared out the hole removing soil and dangerous broken pipe, none of the authorities still seem responsible for sorting out the situation.

Helen Milton, who lives close to the sinkhole alerted Malvern Hills Trust, Malvern Hills Council and her MP Harriet Baldwin to the matter last year, but she says no one she has called will take the responsibility for sorting it out.

The location of this sinkhole is the top end of Moorlands Road just before the main Great Malvern and Worcester Road.

Mrs Milton said: “The rain yesterday caused more water to go in but thank goodness Malvern Hills Trust men came out at the weekend and dug out the soil and removed the pipe which was blocking the hole and causing flooding during heavy rain and washing away the top of my neighbour’s drive half way down the hill.

“The hole is still getting bigger and if a small dog fell into it when the water was high it would never be seen again. It’s half-term now and although there are barriers around could still be a danger to children.”

Mrs Milton is also very worried as it is very close to a well-used footpath that goes to the bus stop by the traffic lights turning into Newtown Road. It is about two and a half metres long, two metres wide in one place and at least a metre deep.

She said: “It appeared literally overnight and the end of October.

“It was then only a small hole but over the intervening months and the excessive rain it has become very big. There is a very large earthenware pipe inside which has now broken and water gushes down at great speed.

“I originally contacted Malvern Hills Trust and they erected some barriers as it is on their land and they contacted Seven Trent. It would appear that after testing the water Severn Trent said it was spring water and so not their responsibility.

“Over the months the sinkhole has got bigger and instead of the original two barriers there are now more barriers.

“Malvern Hills Trust don’t seem to want to take responsibility so I’m really not sure who else to contact. The council, as soon as you say it’s on the common’ don’t want to know either.

A Malvern Hills Trust spokesperson said: “There’s nothing more to add at this point as we are still undertaking investigations to identify the owner of the pipe. When we have made significant progress, we will update the residents.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, commented: “While I don’t comment on individual casework, I do recommend to constituents that they report potholes to Worcestershire County Council using their excellent website where you can upload a photo.

“For problems on Conservators land the Malvern Hills Trust should be the first port of call and I am sure publicity from your excellent newspaper could help prompt action.”