An?independent geologist has recommended that Government act immediately to determine the stability of a cave that runs under Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, Erdiston Nursery School and the Canadian High Commission building.
Canadian geologist Professor Hans Machel, who has conducted several studies of caves in Barbados, investigated this cave back in 2009, naming it Berwick Cave.
While stressing that he did not want to cause panic, he stated that Government should have geological testing done of the 120-metre-long cave because an “ominous pillar” was holding up the roof in a section of it.
Machel made the revelation while giving evidence yesterday at the Coroner’s Court inquest into the 2007 collapse of the Shalom apartment building at Arch Cot Terrace, Brittons X Road, St Michael.
He expressed grave concern about the pillars, stating: “The columns are getting narrower and narrower. The cave will erode and collapse, depending on how much rainwater gets into it. All it takes is a minor earthquake and those two pillars can break.”
The professor explained that he went into the cave with a team of five people and used laser penetrating equipment to carry out his study. He further explained that the cave had three entrances, one of which was on the grounds of Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, one near to the nursery and the main entrance on the grounds of a nearby residence.
“The deepest point is under the grounds of the college while the shallowest point is under the Canadian High Commission,” said Machel.
He said the area under the Canadian High Commission building was so shallow that several tree roots were penetrating the cave rocks.
Pointing out that he was the only person to have done a survey of the cave, Machel showed one of the photographs where the cave went “all the way to the surface”, pointing to a steel slab that was on the surface of the land at the college but could be seen from within the cave.
He said the cave had been in existence for several years and had steps which led into it. He stated that it was used as a tourist attraction more than 100 years ago.
Machel stated that he had submitted a five-page report on the cave to the principal of the college, and said local environmentalist Richard Goddard, who had told him about the cave, had also spoken to officials at the Canadian High Commission.
“That cave could probably stand for another 1 000 years. Maybe it is safe; but Government has to get engineers to look into it immediately,” said Machel.
When contacted, Acting Attorney General Michael Lashley said he was not in a position to say if a report on this particular cave had been sent to the ministry and that he would have to look into it.
However, Government geologist Andre Brathwaite recalled that his office received a call about the cave in 2009 from management at Erdiston College.
He said he visited the area and observed three entrances including one near to the nursery, which he said was of major concern but was cordoned off.
Brathwaite added that he was also not aware that Machel had done an investigation of the cave and had submitted a report to management of the college.Â
