Main content

Swadlincote's subsidence

Swadlincote - a town built on coal. With 17 pits once dominating the local landscape.

Memories are still strong of a time when the subsidence here was so severe Swadlincote鈥檚 plight became a national embarrassment. Schools, libraries, even entire streets were either propped up or knocked down as the town sank at an alarming rate.

This insatiable demand for the coal was fuelled by a nation rebuilding itself after the war.

If that meant the partial collapse of a Derbyshire town built right over the mines it seemed a price worth paying. Half a century on, some locals claim mining subsidence is still a problem.

Inside Out meets the people who's homes are literally being torn in two.

Release date:

Duration:

11 minutes