Big hole in the ground in Burrington Combe

[afraidofthedank]

Was taking little one up to Goatchurch and noticed this big, recently dug hole in the ground which is fenced off. Looks to have been mechanically excavated. Looks to be where the stream would run to during rainfall. Am I right in thinking this is just a soak away to stop the rain from running to the road or is someone trying work out where the water goes?

 

[martinr]

https://www.mcra.org.uk/registry/sitedetails.php?id=17

Flange Swallet "Regularly infilled by stream-lain debris and excavated to facilitate drainage."

 

[PeteHall]

I believe that there may be plans afoot to do a more permanent job of excavating Flange Swallet, which could potentially lead to another entrance to Lower Pierre's Pot, beyond the upstream sumps.

 

[Graigwen]

In the late 60s you could "do" Flange Swallet by lying on a patch of stones. Depth =0

 

[martinr]

https://www.ubss.org.uk/publications/newsletters/online/2025/03-march/

WORKS IN BURRINGTON COMBE

.....

Both Flange Swallet and East Twin Swallet (below the cave entrance) are being re-excavated by JCB to ensure that the water continues to sink underground rather than flood down the valley to damage the road. This is a continuation of work first done in 2001 ....account of what happened and why can be found on page 4 of the Spring 2001 Newsletter.

 

[bagpuss]

The national landscapes team for Mendip mentioned they were going to clear it before attempting to repair the footpath going up to Goatchurch, assuming it's so the water doesn't erode any repairs they carry out, could be the reason for these works perhaps.

 

[Ali M]

It was dug out in the first half of April to stop the stream overflowing, eroding the track and debris ending up on the road. The track was levelled to facilitate this work and to repair the path, which had become extremely eroded.