Award Winning Emergency Sinkhole Response In South Wales
When a culvert collapsed beneath a residential street in Pant, South Wales on 1 December 2024, the resulting sinkhole forced the evacuation of families and captured national attention.
With the ground continuing to deteriorate and urgent engineering decisions needed, Edwards Diving Services (EDS) called on Glanville Environmental’s Geospatial Division to provide rapid, specialist support.
Using advanced inspection and subsurface technologies, our team delivered critical data that enabled safe recovery efforts and contributed to residents returning home before Christmas.
Case Study in Detail
Rapid Deployment in a High‑Risk Environment
Phase 1: Immediate Inspection & Risk Assessment
Our team was deployed within hours to carry out high‑stakes assessments under emergency conditions. Using the Elios 3 Drone, we performed a safe, detailed internal inspection of the damaged culvert—eliminating the need for confined‑space entry during an unstable and unpredictable event.
To understand the wider risk to adjacent properties, we conducted Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys across the affected area. This allowed us to detect hidden voids without any intrusive works, supplying engineers with the data needed to assess ground integrity.
Phase 2: Ongoing Monitoring & Strategic Support
As the collapse continued to evolve, we returned for a second deployment focused on:
- Volumetric modelling of the expanding void
- Mapping the underground culvert alignment to identify a buried manhole essential for future access and repair
- Delivering rapid data outputs to the engineering teams managing the emergency response
Our combined datasets supported tactical decision‑making and enabled safe planning for excavation, repair, and reinstatement.
Outcome & Impact
Thanks to coordinated teamwork, rapid mobilisation, and precise geospatial insight, the engineering response progressed swiftly and safely. Our investigations played a vital role in stabilising the area and supported the decision‑making that allowed evacuated residents to return home in time for the holidays.
This project demonstrated the real‑world value of fast, accurate and non‑intrusive geospatial data during emergency infrastructure events.
An Award Winning Emergency Response
The UKSTT judging panel selected this project as the 2025 winner of the Detection, Location and Inspection category because it exemplified how modern techniques can make a tangible difference during an unfolding emergency.
The team’s ability to mobilise instantly and provide high‑quality data under extreme time pressure was a major factor. In a situation where safety and clarity were paramount, Glanville Geospatial delivered insights that directly informed engineering decisions and helped protect the public.
By using drone inspections and GPR rather than disruptive excavations, the team avoided further upheaval in a residential area already facing significant stress. This approach helped accelerate the recovery effort and maintained reassurance for affected residents.
Safety, compliance, and professionalism were also central to the decision. Working in an active collapse zone demanded discipline and agility, and the team demonstrated exemplary adherence to Health & Safety, CDM obligations, and licensed drone and GPR operations.
This project stands out for its innovative application of technology. The integration of drone inspection, LiDAR‑supported modelling, GPR, and geospatial analysis provided a depth of understanding that traditional methods could not have achieved at the same speed. This enabled engineers to act confidently and efficiently during a complex and evolving crisis. Showcasing how advanced geospatial capability—applied with care, precision, and urgency—can deliver exceptional value when it matters most.
