Hi guys I apologise if this has been covered before had a scour but not seen it,

Im looking at buying my first property for myself and my 2 kids, just had the reports back that say there is a mine shaft in the back garden, capped in 1985 within 20 meters of the property its bang outside the kitchen, appears to be covered by a massive cement cap(thought it was a drain)

now I don't know whether or not this is something I should worry about, im not worried so much about property value or anything like that, more that Im wanting this to be a family home for well ever, and somewhere I leave my kids, should I be worried about this with all the reports of mine shafts opening up and swallowing things, I just cant shake this image in my head of the kids on the trampoline being swallowed up.

I mean how safe are these old capped shafts and what kind of size are we talking its around the Grange Colliery (Kimberworth) any information would be appreciated

Thanks

I would have thought the depth of the mine workings would be more important than the capping in the first instance and the strata of the ground. look on a geology map to get a rough idea of the strata. A metal detector will tell you if there is steel reinforcing in the capping or you could dowse for it. look at adjacent property to see if there is any movement or long continuous walls or ripples in the road surface. If there is any new large buildings nearby check to see if they did mine reports or bore holes etc.

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Coal Authority website have various resources and maps detailing deep and shallow workings etc.

How old is your intended house - pre 1985, concurrent with the shaft filling, or much later?

I've done geophysical surveys for a number of mine shafts. I'd only reinforce what others have already said - make sure you get the full documentation.

The depth of the shaft and depth/direction of works will also be relevant.