THE final phase of a £2-million project to stabilise land affected by historic mine-workings in a residential area of Tavistock is due to start this month.

The project, funded by a grant from the Homes and Communities Agency and co-ordinated by West Devon Borough Council, will bring much-needed family-sized homes back into use at Drake Gardens when contractors, Forkers Ltd, complete works to fill underground voids in the area.

Extensive work has already been carried out to confirm the position, size and condition of the old mine workings. 

During these works it was found that mine workings were partially back-filled and no large inter-connecting voids were identified.

Residents have been kept informed throughout the project, and over the coming months will see the final steps taken.  

Following a successful trial in 2010, Forkers Ltd will be using a type of cement mix designed by Hyder Consulting UK to fill the voids. 

The works will begin at the southern end of Drake Gardens, and progressively move northwards over a period of approximately four months, finishing around the end of July.