CONCERNS have been raised over a large sinkhole as it is becoming more and more dangerous – but no one appears to be taking responsibility for it.

Helen Milton, who lives close to the sinkhole on the edge of Link Top Common alerted Malvern Hills Trust and Malvern Hills District Council last year and MP Harriet Baldwin three weeks ago after she claimed no-one she called would sort it out.

The sinkhole is at the top end of Moorlands Road just before the main Great Malvern/Worcester Road.

Mrs Milton is 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 at 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 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 its 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.

“My neighbour, who has lived in her house for over 20 years, for the first time ever had water in her house last year - this cannot be coincidental. We both have cellars and unless this problem is addressed, we could have a serious issue with our properties and those further down the road.

“When it rains hard the water comes rushing out of the broken pipe and the rainwater pours in. I hope someone will acknowledge some responsibility to get the pipe fixed and the hole filled up, as in the summer this could become very dangerous with many more people walking on and around the common and hills.

“Last night the water came over the top of the hole washing the drive into Moorlands Road and closing it overnight.”

A Malvern Hills Trust spokesperson said: “We too are extremely concerned about this issue that has caused considerable damage to Trust land since October 2023. Following a report of a hole Trust staff immediately attended to investigate and erect safety barriers.

“The Trust has been in regular contact with Severn Trent Water and Worcestershire Highways to identify who is responsible for the ceramic pipe, neither of which has claimed responsibility. Although the Trust owns the land through which the pipe runs, water infrastructure and other utilities, for example electricity cables, are not the responsibility of the Trust to maintain or repair.

“We understand that the location of the hole is causing considerable concern for local residents and as such are continuing our investigations to identify the responsible party to resolve the problem as swiftly as possible.”