Work to clean up the Skewen homes badly damaged during a flood is beginning today.
Around 80 residents were evacuated from their homes on Thursday, January 21 and some have since been told they may not be able to return for up to six months.
The flooding took place after a disused mine shaft filled with water and "burst", sending torrents of water over "at least eight streets".
Now, work is getting started to clean up the gardens and areas that suffered external flooding.
The Coal Authority has explained that while it "does not have legal liability for flooding from mine water", it is providing "practical support" in sorting out the outside areas which are not covered by insurance.
Coal Authority chief executive, Lisa Pinney said: "We know that the mine flooding incident on January 21, 2021, had significant impacts on the village of Skewen and are genuinely sorry for that.
"Now the clean-up begins and we understand the emotions and frustration that people feel when they see the impacts of the water on their homes.
"While the Coal Authority does not have legal liability for flooding from mine water and people do need to work with their insurance companies on the majority of the flood recovery work, we recognise the impacts on people’s homes and lives and we want to help where we can.
"We’ve been listening to feedback and residents have told us that one of the best ways to help is to provide practical support in sorting out gardens and outside areas where they are not covered by insurance.
"We have put together a package of support, which is available to all those in Skewen who have suffered external flooding. To find out more and register for practical help, please call the residents’ hotline on 0800 2884268."
The support package available includes immediate help in clearing external areas around the property of ochre, mud and debris.
Crews will start in Sunnyland Crescent on Monday, February 1, before moving to Jubilee Crescent, Highlands, Dynevor Road, Cwrt-Y-Clafdy and surrounding areas before starting in Goshen Park on Monday, February 8, when a new temporary access is available.
It also offers support to put the gardens and outside areas back to how they were before the flooding hit. This will include things such as fence panels, grass, gravel and patching holes or cracks in driveways up to a total of £500 in materials.
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Ms Pinney explained that a new mine water management system to "capture the water coming down from the mines above Skewen" was being built to prevent another flood happening in the future.
She added: "25% of the population of Great Britain live on the coalfield. In South Wales and the valleys this proportion is much greater. For the vast majority of people this will never cause any problems.
"While a risk remains and others are right that more frequent heavy rain caused by climate change will be a factor, events like this are extremely unusual.
"The Coal Authority has investigated this incident thoroughly and it was the result of a blockage in an old drainage adit (historical mine working). We are putting in place work to remediate this adit and the mineshaft involved.
"We will build a new mine water management system to capture the water coming down from the mines above Skewen to reduce the risk of such an event happening again.
"This will have flow monitoring and telemetry (alarm) systems so it can be monitored 24/7."
Work to create a temporary access road from Drummau Road to the circular end of the cul-de-sac has, begun meaning that Goshen Park residents will be able to access their homes by Saturday, February 6. Work to reconnect the gas supply to houses in Goshen Park should be completed by Wednesday or Thursday this week.
Ms Pinney said: "We are pleased to confirm that work on the temporary access road for Goshen Park has begun today so that we can get access back to those properties as soon as possible – definitely by Saturday, February 6.
"While people are out of their homes there is significant security and patrols by both security companies and the police.
"Works to remediate the mineshaft on the normal Goshen Park access junction will begin once the gas reconnection works are complete.
"This will require a cordon to stay in place in that area until those works are complete (up to 3 months). This will affect access to properties 1-4 Goshen Park and we are speaking with and supporting those residents directly."
