PRELIMINARY work has started to safeguard homes in Tavistock affected by shallow 18th and 19th century mine workings.

West Devon Borough Council is leading the project to stabilise homes in Drake Gardens, and staged a road show at the site in September to explain to residents what the latest phase of work will entail.

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

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

Contractors Forkers Ltd are on site and carrying out further detailed investigations ahead of the main phase of the works which begin in February 2011. This will involve the final remediation works, including the filling of shallow voids beneath affected properties. The council's geotechnical engineers, Hyder Consulting (UK) Ltd, are supervising the works.

David Keeton, manager of the land stabilisation programme for the Homes and Communities Agency, said: 'It's very pleasing now to have works under way on site that will remove the threat of collapse and the consequent blight that the residents of Drake Gardens have been suffering for many years.

'The council has managed a difficult problem very professionally and I'm confident that, with the quality of the project team assembled, the local community will see the project come to a safe conclusion with the minimum of disruption to them.'

Borough Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'After nearly eight years it is wonderful that the works in Drake Gardens are going to be completed, helping this strong community have an area to live in which they are proud of instead of looking at boarded up properties.'

Cllr Kirstie Clish-Green said: 'I know the residents are finally looking forward to this coming to a close, and having their homes made safe again, they have been very patient and understanding during this time. It is an exciting time for everyone within the community.'