If a mineshaft opening in a garden on a quiet cul-de-sac in Cornwall wasn’t enough of a concern for neighbours, they say that security fencing installed by the council which is blocking the road is “overkill” and is ruining the lives of elderly and vulnerable residents.

The mineshaft opened in front of a house on White House Close, Carbis Bay, on the last day of November with the emergency security fence erected around the property by Cornwall Council’s highways wing Cormac on December 1.

The fencing stretches around the property on to the road to the opposite pavement, blocking the road for people living at one end of the cul-de-sac. All residents living in that part of the street had to move their cars away from their houses to ensure they weren’t trapped behind the fencing. They now have to reverse to leave the cul-de-sac and fear it could lead to an accident as reversing vehicles have already damaged walls.

There are concerns that the fence has just been left there, creating a literal stumbling block for elderly residents, some of whom now feel they can’t leave their homes. However, the council says while it understands residents’ concerns, safety has to be its priority while mining investigations are carried out.

Mark Richards, speaking on behalf of a number of his neighbours in White House Close, told us: “One elderly resident had to walk from their flat past the fence and I could see he was severely struggling – I was concerned about him. Neighbours told me they had also seen him struggling so much he was clinging on to the fence and collapsed on to the wall as he couldn’t hold on.

“I asked neighbours if anyone had seen him and nobody had, so I knocked on doors until I found his flat and he was very pleased to see me. He told me had lost his independence and quality of life, and that he couldn’t go out now.”

Mr Richards has gone shopping for him on a number of occasions since.

“I understand the road closure but I told the head of engineering in mid December that I had concerns about residents and that it needed to be reassessed. One of their own engineers even said the fencing was overkill and it was blocking the whole road off. There’s been no indication of sinking or subsidence on the road.

“If they just opened it up a couple of feet – I’m not saying remove it. The more able-bodied residents can cope with it but elderly people can’t. There was another resident who had to be taken to hospital on New Year’s Eve during torrential rain. The paramedics had to trolley her up to the far side of the road closure. They had to cover her up with a blanket and by the time she got to the ambulance she was soaking.”

Mr Richards said he has emailed councillors with his concerns “and fair play, their response has been good”. Among those who have replied are Cornwall Council leader Linda Taylor, who represents the area, St Ives town councillor Paul Viney, who has visited the street, and fellow town councillor Luke Rogers. However, Mr Richards is concerned that despite their interest nothing has yet been done by Cornwall Council to unblock the close.

“I’m not concerned about the general inconvenience but I am concerned about the welfare of vulnerable residents, and I’m aware these things have got the potential to run for months. The fence was installed and then left with no updates and with no point of contact for us. We have just been left to put up with it.”

He said that the initial period for the installation of the protective fencing was until March 1, but there was the potential it could be longer. “We’ve not been updated since December 4 despite myself and others reporting numerous concerns.” Residents are now waiting for the results of a council geotechnical engineering test to see if there are unstable mine workings on the road outside the affected property.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “We fully understand the inconvenience caused to residents, but safety has to be our first priority, and this fencing must remain in place until the results of a forthcoming mining investigation are known.

“The property owner’s insurance company will conduct an invasive investigation later this month. Based on this assessment, we will reassess the measures currently in place. We are committed to resolving the issue as soon as possible and appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation.”