RESIDENTS have been evacuated for the second time as investigations into a sink hole discovers historic chalk mines under their homes.

Hexagon Housing have decided to move residents out of Brickfield Cottages off Kings Highway in Plumstead as exploratory works into the hole which appeared on Monday May 2 year found underground mining dating back to the 1800s.

The housing association is now set to make an assessment of conditions deep underground and so has moved the residents from the 40 homes so they are not impacted by the heavy works.

48 residents were evacuated from the newly built housing scheme after a five by five metre hole opened up in front of homes. However following works to secure the site by structural engineers they returned in a few days later.

etc. ...

In May archaeologist Dr Per von Schiebner, from Forest Hill, who is an expert in “Man-made Subterranean Structures” told The Mercury he suspected the hole would be due to historic mining in the area. He said: “The exact locations of all the works have not been discovered. Historic research shows there was three chalk mines in the area which were used for the local Plumstead brick making industry.”

At my end there's the unknown location of the 120' shaft. As far as I can make out, the approximate location may well be under a row of late Victorian houses.....

Best I keep my headtorch close and charged :-[