Local politicians Stephen Crabb MP and Paul Davies AM are calling for action to remedy the long standing problem of a cliff collapse above Hakin Point in Milford Haven. A landslip occurred at the location on 1st July 2012, and two further land slips have occurred since. The cliff has a main sewerage pipe in it, prompting fears that any further landslips could cause damage to the pipe leading to major environmental problems.
A number of people who own properties under the cliff have had their properties severely damaged, and the footpath above the cliff that leads from Hakin Point to Point Fields has been closed as the area is now deemed too dangerous to allow people to use.
Commenting on the matter, Stephen Crabb MP said “I have been in touch with residents from Hakin Point for more than 3 years about this issue. They remain very concerned about the potential for further landslips and damage to their properties. Clearly this situation cannot continue and Pembrokeshire County Council and Dwr Cymru need to take action now to provide reassurance and clarity about future action.”
Paul Davies AM said “In order to try to resolve the situation, I organised a meeting in November 2014 which was attended by Stephen Crabb and senior officers from Dwr Cymru and Pembrokeshire County Council. I left the meeting with some optimism that Dwr Cymru and Pembrokeshire County Council could resolve this issue. It was agreed that both organisations would share existing reports on the matter and commission new reports to ascertain the current position. However, by June 2015, Dwr Cymru had decided it was not their responsibility to make good the cliff which would protect their mains sewerage pipe.”
Mr Davies continued “The mains sewerage pipe was laid by the then Milford Haven Urban District Council in the late 1960s, prior to the existence of Dwr Cymru. I have seen minutes from the Council between 1968 and 1970, which mention problems encountered when laying the pipe and “the crumbling cliff face”. Dwr Cymru are now responsible for the pipe, and I feel that for them to walk away from the problem is not good enough. It’s quite obvious that urgent action is required to tackle this matter. Dwr Cymru, in conjunction with Pembrokeshire County Council need to take action to stabilise the cliff to give peace of mind to Hakin Point property owners and to safeguard their mains sewerage pipe. In addition, this action would also mean that the footpath would reopen.”
One of the affected householders are Bryan and Ozra Johnson. Commenting on the situation Bryan Johnson said “As a local couple, when we bought our house in Hakin Point, we were convinced we’d found the perfect home. We spent many years restoring the property to its former glory. Then three and a half years ago our dream home literally collapsed around us; the cliff behind the house started to disintegrate showering the property with rocks and debris; no longer a dream but the start of a nightmare. Now large parts of the house are uninhabitable due to the damage but also due to the constant fear of further rock falls.”
Mr Johnson continued “We are further away than ever from a solution, with Dwr Cymru and Pembrokeshire County Council saying it is nothing to do with them. We have the added problem and worry of the sewerage pipe in the cliff face. Of course if we had an option to walk away and start building our lives again elsewhere that might be the answer, but our property at Hakin Point is our life, there is no option to walk away. We have invested financially and emotionally into the property, we’ve brought up our children here. Is it too much to ask for some honesty, some lateral thinking and above all some compassion from these organisations.”
