Cradley Heath Newbuild Estate Cut Off Six Months After Two Landslides

Residents of a newbuild estate on Haden Cross Drive in Cradley Heath, West Midlands, have been unable to access their driveways or park outside their homes for over six months following two significant landslides that blocked their road with earth and rubble. Despite a temporary sandbag wall being constructed after the first landslip, heavy rains caused it to collapse, and newly released CCTV footage captured the moment tonnes of earth breached the barriers. The privately owned estate, developed by Dunedin Homes, has faced ongoing drainage issues and sewage overflows, compounded by the lack of functioning street lighting, which residents say remains unactivated despite installation. Residents, including engineer Reece Aleksander, express feelings of abandonment and frustration over the absence of clear timelines for remediation, with Dunedin Homes mentioning only a vague plan for a gabion wall as a temporary fix. Sandwell Council has intervened, giving the developer until September to clear the road and threatening enforcement actions if unresolved. The situation continues to severely affect daily life, with residents forced to park on nearby streets and navigate hazardous conditions to access their homes.