Residents scared to sleep as gardens crumble into river

Homeowners have said they are "terrified of going to sleep" after a wall separating their properties from a river collapsed.

The wall, which bridged the gap between the gardens of four homes in Ystradgynlais, Powys, and the River Tawe, collapsed in February after heavy rain.

Kevin Davies, and neighbours Imogen and Justin Crewe, said they now feel like they must "evacuate" their homes as soon as they notice bad weather.

They want Powys council to foot the £450k repair bill, but the authority does not accept responsibility.

The council said there is no "identified liability" and that it is a matter for the owners and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

NRW has, however, told the BBC that it has nothing to do with the wall and that it does not have the powers fund a replacement.

Mr Davies, 56, who has lived on Llys Tawel his whole life, said he first reported his concerns, to both the council and NRW, more than a decade ago - after a sinkhole appeared at the bottom of his garden.

He said residents of two houses have had "no help at all" since the wall's collapse.

"They’re trying to say it’s our responsibility, but all of the evidence we’ve accumulated has pointed to the fact that the council is the owner of the wall," he said.

Mr Davies said he had looked through archives of council meetings and found the wall was built by Brecon council in 1912 following flooding in the area.

"That’s obviously now Powys council, so it’s still their responsibility," he said.

"I’ve had many sleepless nights over it. I’ve had ill health, it’s not only a financial worry but it’s affecting our physical and mental health.

"We’re terrified because it’s just a constant worry about what will we’ll see when we wake up in the morning."

Justin and Imogen Crewe live next door with their six-month-old son Freddie, and two-year-old son Hari.

"We just don’t feel safe. It’s a reminder every time you leave the front door or look out the window there’s a hole at the end of your garden," said Ms Crewe.

The residents hired a structural engineer to price the cost of repairing the wall, who said it is likely to cost around £450,000.

"The fact that we’re expected to pay that is ridiculous. It’s the council’s property not ours," Mr Crewe said.

"They’ve got to have some sort of budget to facilitate helping people like us.

"We don’t want our children getting hurt in any way... it’s terrifying."

The residents of Llys Tawel have now hired a barrister to look at the case on their behalf.

"It is unfortunate, but we have no other option," Mr Davies said.

Powys council said it recognises the concerns of Llys Tawel residents but "unfortunately is unable to provide assistance for replacement of the wall".

A spokesperson said: “Currently there is no identified liability for the wall and therefore it is a matter for the affected parties and Natural Resources Wales as the relevant authority for the main river."

However, an NRW spokesperson said: "NRW is not the owner of the land on which the retaining wall lies and the wall is not categorised as a flood defence.

"Because of this, we do not have any legislative powers or responsibility to maintain or repair the wall.

"Our powers do not allow us to spend taxpayers’ money to repair a private asset."