**Large Sinkhole Disrupts Community and Water Supplies in Merthyr Tydfil Village**
Residents in the Pontsticill area of Merthyr Tydfil were left reeling this week after a substantial sinkhole appeared suddenly on a key road, following the failure of a water pipe. The unexpected collapse, which took place on Tuesday morning, resulted in the immediate closure of a principal route through the village, leaving locals without water and facing significant travel disruption.
The incident unfolded near Penygarn, with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water officials responding quickly after the water main burst. Video footage captured at the scene depicted water gushing from the fractured pipe, carving out a crater in the road and flooding parts of the carriageway. The sinkhole rapidly rendered the road unusable, cutting off the usual vehicular access to and from the village.
Community concern was heightened during a meeting at Pontsticill’s memorial hall on Tuesday evening, where several residents voiced their frustration at having no running water. The impromptu gathering underscored the vital importance of infrastructure in rural Welsh communities and shone a light on the urgent need for rapid repairs following such unforeseen events.
In response, the council made the decision to temporarily reopen the Pant road at Ffynnon Dwyn. This particular route, which runs between Brecon Mountain Railway and the local water treatment works, had itself been closed since November due to two substantial landslips caused by Storm Bert. While the road was previously deemed too unstable, the extraordinary circumstances led authorities to re-evaluate its safety.
A resident speaking after the burst pipe on Tuesday expressed frustration, reflecting the pent-up tension in the village. “The Pant road has been closed for five months with nothing happening,” they stated. “Now, due to the sinkhole, traffic has to use Pant road, even though previously it was considered too dangerous. It’s baffling that we’re now being redirected through a route closed off for months.”
To ensure safety, the council has implemented a temporary traffic light system on the section of Pant road now in use. This measure, according to a council spokesperson, is possible due to the recent spell of warm, dry weather, which has lessened the risk of further slippage. The council has reassured locals that the reopening is strictly temporary and will be subject to continued assessment while works progress in Pontsticill.
Midweek drone images revealed council engineers working to fill the sinkhole, employing heavy machinery to restore the road surface. Although the damaged water pipe was repaired quickly, the recovery operation is expected to keep the main road closed for several more days at least.
Councillor Lisa Mytton offered an update on Wednesday, confirming that water supplies have been restored to affected households. She added that, if progress continues at the current pace, the road at Penygarn could reopen as soon as Friday evening.
The incident has cast a spotlight on wider infrastructure challenges facing rural Welsh villages, where single points of access can quickly become critical vulnerabilities during emergencies. For now, the community is relying on the temporary diversion and monitoring updates as the situation develops.
Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution when using the temporary route, maintaining that public safety remains the absolute priority as repairs continue. The council also reiterated its commitment to assessing the integrity of both routes before any long-term reopening decisions are made.
This sudden infrastructure failure serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges rural communities face, particularly when extreme weather and ageing utilities coincide. For Pontsticill’s residents, the coming days will be focused on returning to normalcy, with hopes for more resilient roads in the future.