PRELIMINARY work is to start next month to safeguard homes in Tavistock affected by shallow 18th and 19th century mine workings.

West Devon Borough Council, which has led the project to stabilise homes in Drake Gardens, will be staging a road show in the Drake Gardens area on Wednesday September 29, to explain to residents what the latest phase of work will entail.

Engineers, borough council and West Devon Homes staff will be on hand from 2pm to 7pm to answer questions about the latest work. 

Ward member for the area Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'The road show is open to anyone living in the Drake Gardens area who may be affected by the works both directly and indirectly. Please come along and take a look at what is proposed.' 

Late last year, a £2 million government grant was awarded to the council to pay for the work. Around 20 homes are directly affected, including five properties owned by Housing Association West Devon Homes which have remained empty since 2005 as a precaution.

Not only will the work help restore confidence in the local housing market, but the council hopes that the empty properties will be brought back into use too.

The borough has been monitoring the properties regularly for any signs of structural issues but no problems have been detected.

 The next phase of the works begins in late October and will involve further ground investigations.

 The council has held regular meetings with residents to discuss the project throughout the investigation process.