Residents whose homes were flooded after a planned blast at Taff's Well quarry on Thursday have called for the quarry to be shut down. Emergency services were called to Gwaelod-y-Garth, on the outskirts of Cardiff, where roads remain closed.
Cardiff council confirmed that 15 properties were affected by the flooding, with 13 homes evacuated. Accommodation was arranged for one family overnight, and support was provided to another family on Friday morning, while other affected families made private arrangements.
Breedon Group Chief Executive Officer Mike Pearce confirmed the incident followed a "planned blast" and stated the company would support authorities and conduct its own investigation. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is working with South Wales Police on an investigation.
Residents reported hearing a loud blast from the direction of Taff's Well around 12:30 BST, followed by "huge amounts of water" rushing down the hillside. One resident described the blast as making "the whole house shook like a bomb had gone off."
Main Road in Gwaelod-y-Garth and Heol Goch between Gwaelod-y-Garth and Pentyrch are closed due to significant damage, including mud, silt, and debris blocking access. Highways and cleaning teams are working to clear roads where safe, but ongoing safety concerns remain for roads and embankments.
The council has advised the public not to enter the watercourse of the rivers or allow dogs to swim due to the possibility of river pollution, pending investigations.