‘Danger’ alert as 6ft. of garden collapses into brook

A Printers Fold resident is worried someone will get hurt – or even killed – after around six foot of her garden crumbled into Greenbook.
Printer's Fold: scene of the garden collapsePrinter's Fold: scene of the garden collapse
Printer's Fold: scene of the garden collapse

Anne Bland’s shed is precariously hanging over the edge of the brook after the Boxing Day floods caused the stream’s wall, which holds up her garden, to give way.

So many people having been coming to ‘take a look’ that she has had to pay for a danger sign and fence herself to alert people and try and stop anyone falling into the water below, which is full of rocks from the wall.

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Now she is wanting a decision from the Environment Agency about whose responsibility the wall is so it can be strengthened and won’t crumble anymore, with her house in danger.

Printer's Fold: scene of the garden collapsePrinter's Fold: scene of the garden collapse
Printer's Fold: scene of the garden collapse

“It’s not about blame, it’s about sorting this out now as I am obviously extremely worried,” said Anne (52) who lives with her partner and dog and has lived in Printers Fold for around 20 years.

“I have had to pay for a fence to be put up myself as I can’t believe the number of people coming to have a look, take pictures and video it, even with young children.

“It’s so dangerous and, as well as humans, a dog or cat could easily fall into it. I am worried to let my dog into my garden even though I have fenced everything off.”

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Anne says it’s been a murky area around whose responsibility the wall is – whether the home owners or the Environment Agency.

Printer's Fold garden collapsePrinter's Fold garden collapse
Printer's Fold garden collapse

“It was never an issue on the survey and the people across from me, whose wall and garden have also crumbled, only moved in around 10 weeks ago and it wasn’t an issue for them on their survey either,” said Anne.

“Through the years, people have said it’s on my deeds and so I am responsible for the wall and half the stream while others have said it’s the Environmental Agencies responsibility and I am waiting for their visit.

“On Boxing Day night, it was so frightening as I heard a horrendous bang and I thought my fence had blown over. I couldn’t believe it when I looked out and six foot of my garden had disappeared.

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“I only saw the full extent of it in daylight. My shed is hanging over at the moment although neighbours have reassured me my house will be fine, which has helped. It is a shame it is down to them to reassure me though and not someone with more authority.

Printer's Fold: scene of the garden collapsePrinter's Fold: scene of the garden collapse
Printer's Fold: scene of the garden collapse

“It’s so dangerous and I am having panic attacks because of the worry.”

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Printer's Fold: scene of the garden collapsePrinter's Fold: scene of the garden collapse
Printer's Fold: scene of the garden collapse