Mystery deepens at Cwmfelin sinkhole as engineers uncover hidden tramway channel

The update comes from Cllr Peter Black, who said work at the former Cwmfelin Social Club has now exposed the culvert and cleared the first blockage. But instead of flowing cleanly through the system, water is diverting into a huge, fractured brick tramway running alongside it before dropping back into the culvert “further down the line”.

According to Cllr Black, the exact point where the water re‑enters the culvert is still unknown.

Engineers have uncovered a broken brick tramway arch beneath the Cwmfelin sinkhole, where most of the water is now flowing.
(Image: Peter Black)A damaged brick tunnel revealed by the dig shows water spilling through collapsed sections of the old drainage system. (Image: Peter Black)

Fears over collapse risk

Cllr Black warned that the tramway route could become blocked if another collapse occurs inside the structure, which already has a break where water is spilling back into the culvert.

Because of that risk, he said pumps will remain on site “until such time that the council are content that the risk of flooding has been removed”.

The discovery adds yet another layer of complexity to a problem that has plagued the area for years, causing repeated flooding around Cwmbwrla roundabout and forcing the demolition of the Cwmfelin Club building after it was left teetering on the edge of the sinkhole.

The culvert and surrounding structures exposed as contractors dig deeper into the Cwmfelin sinkhole. (Image: Peter Black)Heavy machinery at the Cwmfelin site as crews work to reach a second collapse hidden beneath the ground. (Image: Peter Black)

Four‑month operation ahead

Cllr Black said contractors will now remove material from the site to allow phase two of the operation to begin. That includes excavating down to a second collapse, clearing it, and assessing the damaged section between the two failures before re‑establishing the watercourse.

He added that the council is currently negotiating an agreement with Network Rail to allow the next stage of work to proceed.

The projected timescale for the operation is “potentially up to four months”, with Cllr Black describing the next phase as “a lot more complex than the initial dig down”.

A wide view of the excavation pit where engineers are working to trace the diverted watercourse beneath Cwmfelin. (Image: Peter Black)The former Cwmfelin Social Club pictured before demolition, with the original sinkhole visible beneath the building before excavation work began.

Meanwhile, he said the council will continue monitoring Cwmbwrla for flooding during periods of heavy rain.

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Huge scale of sinkhole that keeps flooding Swansea revealed as diggers tear into site

The club — once a popular community venue — has now been completely demolished, clearing the way for Welsh Water’s contractors to dig down to a collapsed culvert buried around 10 metres beneath the site. The culvert is believed to have damaged a main trunk sewer and sits alongside the remains of a tramline that once served the old Cwmfelin steelworks.

The works mark the third phase of a long-delayed repair operation. The first phase involved filling the initial sinkhole beside the club. The second saw the building itself torn down. The third — now underway — is a full excavation to expose and repair the culvert.

A photo taken by local resident Mark Ludlam shows the scale of the operation, with heavy machinery working on a deep pit surrounded by fencing and pumping equipment.

Despite widespread assumptions on social media, the council is not responsible for the repair work. Responsibility lies with Cwmfelin Social Club’s insurers, and with Welsh Water and their insurers, who are overseeing the excavation and the complex sewer repairs beneath the site.

The sinkhole first opened up in August 2023, causing extensive damage to the club and its car park. Beneath the site lies a collapsed culvert, a sewer, and the remnants of a tramline — all of which have complicated the repair work.

The culvert collapse also damaged the main trunk sewer, forcing Welsh Water to install a temporary system running from the grounds of the former Libanus Chapel, along the pavement of Carmarthen Road, under the railway bridge and eastwards to a new connection point. The temporary pipework and pumping equipment remain in place, which is why one lane of Carmarthen Road between Cwmbwrla roundabout and Gors Avenue is still closed.

The issue has escalated over recent months, with repeated flooding incidents across Cwmbwrla, Manselton and Brynhyfryd. On September 14, the culvert collapse triggered a major flood at Cwmbwrla roundabout, leaving the junction impassable from all directions. It took a week to reopen, and the area has flooded multiple times since — including a November incident that left Reb’s Razors barbershop under two feet of water, destroying equipment and stock.

Cwmfelin sinkhole: Timeline of events

2021
A major water leak occurs on the main road outside Cwmfelin Social Club.

January 2022
A small hole appears in the club’s car park near the toilets, described as the size of a dustbin lid.

August 2023
Large cracks form and the club’s toilets collapse into a developing sinkhole, forcing the venue to close.

September 2023
Severe storms cause major flooding at Cwmbwrla roundabout, with the collapsed culvert blamed for water inundating homes and businesses.

October 2023
A sewer beneath Heol y Gors bursts, linked to the broken culvert and water backing up during heavy rain.

October 2024
Investigations confirm a collapsed culvert 10 metres down, a disused tramline and a damaged sewer, complicating repairs due to the nearby railway line.

July 2025
Plans are finalised to demolish the club to allow access for contractors to repair the culvert and sewer.

September 2025
The club is formally slated for demolition as further flooding prompts renewed action.

October 2025
Demolition of Cwmfelin Social Club begins, two years after the major collapse.

January 2026
Excavation work begins to reach the collapsed culvert beneath the former club.

Residents have suffered too. Nigel and Ian Davies, who had lived in their home for 50 years, were rescued by boat after floodwater surged through their property.

The council has repeatedly stressed that the collapsed culvert — not blocked drains — is the cause of the flooding, and that the responsibility for repairs sits with the club’s insurers and Welsh Water.

Club secretary Mike Kennedy has said he hopes the venue could one day be rebuilt on the land, depending on funding and the outcome of the repairs.

With excavation now progressing, residents are hoping this long-running saga may finally be moving toward a permanent fix — and an end to the disruption that’s hit the area in recent months.

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Cwmbwrla Roundabout closed again as floodwaters rise under amber weather warning

Cwmbwrla Roundabout has been closed once again due to flooding, as South West Wales braces for heavy rain under an amber weather warning issued by the Met Office.

Swansea Council confirmed the closure early Monday morning, citing rising water levels on the road surface around the roundabout.

“We have closed the roundabout as a precaution and to prevent motorists from attempting to drive through and get into trouble,” the council said in a social media post. “We will continue to monitor during the day and reopen as soon as water levels have reduced.”

The closure comes just days after the Met Office upgraded its warning for the region, with forecasters predicting widespread disruption from persistent rainfall. Read our full weather warning coverage.

A recurring issue

Cwmbwrla Roundabout has faced repeated closures over the past year, with residents and councillors raising concerns about drainage and infrastructure failures.

Previous flooding incidents have been linked to a collapsed culvert, not surface drains — a distinction confirmed by the council following earlier clean-up operations.

The nearby Cwmfelin Social Club, which sat on the edge of a giant sinkhole for two years, was recently demolished — part of wider efforts to stabilise the area.

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Councillor warns culvert collapse could leave Cwmbwrla at risk over Christmas

At the full council meeting on 6 November 2025, Cllr Peter Black CBE (Liberal Democrats, Cwmbwrla) told members that homes had once again been inundated after water levels rose higher than in previous floods. He cautioned that until the culvert is rebuilt, the risk of repeat flooding remains.

Black said one of the pumps failed early during the storm, leaving the council “without control of the situation,” and urged urgent measures to provide extra resilience for residents.

Praise for drainage and clean‑up teams

Other councillors acknowledged the scale of the challenge and praised highways and drainage staff for their response. Andrew Stevens (Labour, Gorseinon) said teams had been called in to deal with over 40,000 drains across Swansea, working through the night to keep roads open. Cllr Peter May (Uplands Party, Uplands) described their efforts as “A1,” noting floodwaters dissipated within hours thanks to their work.

Council Leader Rob Stewart (Labour, Morriston) also thanked staff, stressing that officers had worked “diligently” to keep services running during the storm.

Their praise echoed earlier coverage by Swansea Bay News, which reported how council teams worked through the night to clear debris and reopen the Cwmbwrla roundabout following the floods. The clean‑up operation was described as “superb,” with staff ensuring the busy junction was made safe for traffic again.

Collapsed culvert at Cwmfelin Club

Council Leader Rob Stewart (Labour, Morriston) stressed that the repeated flooding at Cwmbwrla was not caused by blocked drains but by the collapsed culvert on private land near the Cwmfelin Club:

“There is a specific issue relating to a collapsed culvert on private land. It cannot handle the water it would normally take away from that area.”

Cllr Peter Black CBE (Liberal Democrats, Cwmbwrla) warned that the repair work will take months, leaving residents exposed to further risk if temporary pumps are overwhelmed:

“This is not going to be fixed before Christmas. This is not going to be fixed until January at the very earliest and it’s going to have more torrential rain events like that again. And we cannot sustain another flood like that in Cwmbwrla if we can help it.”

Wider impact across Swansea

Councillors noted flooding affected wards across the city, with leaf fall adding to the challenge of keeping gullies clear. Swansea Council has already urged residents to help by reporting hotspots where leaves are piling up on pavements and roads, as cleansing teams step up their seasonal clear‑up.

Over recent weeks, crews have removed hundreds of tonnes of leaves across the city, with extra resources diverted from other cleansing work to keep drains clear and footpaths safe. A new leaf‑sucking and mulching machine is being used to vacuum up large piles of leaves and shred them into mulch for disposal — allowing teams to cover more ground more quickly.

Cllr Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said the new kit would help crews lift even more leaves efficiently, but warned:

“It only takes a couple of days of wind and rain to see a further build‑up, particularly in areas with lots of trees.”

Residents are being encouraged to report problem areas directly to the cleansing team so they can be prioritised for clearance.

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Cwmbwrla roundabout reopens after flooding clean‑up

Highways teams worked day and night to clear debris and pump away water, with a final clean‑up completed earlier today. A road sweeper lorry carried out the finishing touches before the route was reopened to traffic.

The council thanked the public for their patience during the closure and praised the efforts of staff who ensured the busy junction could be made safe again.

Side view of the road sweeper lorry with brushes in action during the Cwmbwrla flood clean‑up.Closeup of the road sweeper lorry from the rear, showing brushes clearing debris at Cwmbwrla roundabout.A van passes pumping equipment as it exits the reopened Cwmbwrla roundabout towards Carmarthen Road and the city centre.The reopened Cwmbwrla roundabout standing empty after floodwaters were cleared and the route made safe.

Responsibility for repairs

While the roundabout is now open, the council has stressed that the underlying repair work is not its responsibility. The culvert and sewer beneath the junction require major repairs, which will involve a 12‑foot excavation once the demolition of the nearby Cwmfelin Club has been completed.

Responsibility for those works lies with the members of the Cwmfelin Club and their insurer, not Swansea Council. Until the repairs are carried out, the risk of flooding remains. Officials cautioned that if heavy rain overwhelms the pumps, water could return to the junction.

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Council blames collapsed culvert — not drains — for Cwmbwrla flooding

Heavy duty pumps ‘overwhelmed’

In a Facebook post, the council said the culvert lies around 12 metres below the surface and remains the responsibility of the club’s representatives to repair. While demolition of the building is almost complete, the next stage will be to excavate and fix the culvert.

In the meantime, the council has deployed heavy duty pumping equipment to divert water at the blockage point. But it admitted that during periods of heavy rainfall, such as this week, the pumps “can become overwhelmed and simply cannot cope with the volume of water flowing beneath the road.”

Public frustration acknowledged

The authority said it understood public anger at repeated flooding at the roundabout, but stressed its intervention could only have “limited impact” until the culvert is repaired.

“This situation will only be resolved when the private culvert has been unblocked and repaired, allowing water to flow freely through the network. Until then, the location remains at risk of further flooding during severe weather,” the council said.

Drains not to blame, says council

The council also rejected suggestions that blocked gullies or drains were behind the flooding. It said all watercourses in the immediate area had been checked and cleared, and would continue to be maintained.

Flooded Cwmbwrla roundabout in Swansea, looking towards pumping equipment from the Cwmfelin side of the railway bridge (Image: Swansea Council).

Roundabout remains closed

The roundabout remains shut to traffic, with diversions in place. The council said it would provide further updates on reopening once conditions allowed.

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Cwmbwrla roundabout submerged again as flooding hits Swansea and wider region

Cars stranded as roundabout goes under water

Several vehicles were left almost completely submerged after floodwater engulfed Cwmbwrla roundabout on Tuesday afternoon (4 November). South Wales Police said the junction was “not passable from any approach” and urged drivers to avoid the area, while Swansea Council confirmed its highways team was on site.

By Wednesday morning, the roundabout remained closed, with diversions in place via Pentregethin Road. Council teams worked through the night to pump water away, but warned heavy and prolonged rainfall had overwhelmed equipment.

Road closed signs almost completely surrounded by flood water at Cwmbwrla roundabout in Swansea.A road closed sign blocks Approach Road leading to the flooded Cwmbwrla roundabout in Swansea
(Image: Gary Williams).View from Approach Road shows Cwmbwrla roundabout completely submerged by floodwater (Image: Gary Williams).Pumping equipment deployed on Cwmbwrla roundabout surrounded by floodwater as council teams work to clear the junction.(Image: Gary Williams)

Blocked culvert blamed for repeated flooding

The council said the flooding was again linked to a blocked culvert beneath the site of the recently demolished Cwmfelin Social Club, which it stressed remains the responsibility of the club to repair.

In a statement, the authority said:

“The culvert underneath the recently demolished Cwmfelin social club is still blocked and is the main cause of this ongoing problem. We have brought in pumping equipment to assist with the flow of water. However, heavy and prolonged rainfall means the pumping equipment could be overwhelmed and it may be necessary for further closures of this route until the culvert is repaired.”

This is the second time in six weeks that Cwmbwrla has been submerged, with residents and businesses still recovering from earlier flooding in September.

Pub near the roundabout forced to evacuate

The Gatehouse pub, which sits just above Cwmbwrla roundabout on Carmarthen Road, was among the businesses hit by the flooding. Customers were forced to evacuate as water entered the premises, echoing scenes from September when the venue was also affected.

Cars cautiously drive through floodwater under the railway bridge on Mill Street in Gowerton.

Wider disruption across Swansea

Flooding was also reported on Heol Las, Pantlassau Road, Ynysymond Road, the Christopher Road/Clydach Road junction and Capel Road, though the council said these routes were later cleared.

In Carmarthenshire, the Cresselly Arms in Pontargothi was also hit, with the landlady describing it as the second such incident in six weeks.

Floodwater rises halfway up the ground floor windows of The Cresselly Arms in Pontargothi after heavy rain caused the River Cothi to burst its banks.(Image: David R Morgan)

Dozens of flood alerts across Wales

Natural Resources Wales confirmed more than 50 flood alerts and warnings were in place by Wednesday morning, with the heaviest rainfall recorded on south‑facing slopes of the Bannau Brycheiniog.

The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for rain across South Wales, which remained in force until 8am Wednesday.

Council promises continued work

Swansea Council said its highways teams would remain on site at Cwmbwrla until the roundabout could be safely reopened.

“We are doing everything we can to reopen the road as soon as possible,” the authority said. “We apologise for the inconvenience to your journey.”

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Demolition of Cwmfelin Social Club begins after two years on edge of giant sinkhole

Video captured by local resident Matthew Waring shows heavy machinery tearing into the building, while footage shared by Cllr Peter Black confirms the start of works.

Cllr Black said: “Work has started demolishing the Cwmfelin Club so that the culvert and sewer can be repaired.”

Bulldozers move in on the Cwmfelin Social Club, captured in footage shared by Cllr Peter Black.An excavator rips into the roof of Cwmfelin Social Club as demolition work gets underway in Cwmbwrla.
(Image: Matthew Waring)

From small hole to major disruption

The club shut suddenly in August 2023 when what was first thought to be a small hole in the car park revealed a vast cavity beneath. Investigations later confirmed a collapsed culvert carrying Burlais Brook, along with the remains of a disused tramline and sewer, running directly under the site.

Since then, the sinkhole has been blamed for repeated flooding on Heol y Gors and at the roundabout, where cars were submerged, homes and businesses inundated, and residents even rescued by boat during September’s storms.

Cars left submerged by flood water at Cwmbwrla roundabout during September’s severe flooding.

Calls for action

Local councillors, including Peter Black, have long warned that permanent repairs to the culvert could not begin until the club was demolished.

Council leader Rob Stewart confirmed last month that the authority had written to the club seeking details of recent works, after emergency pumps were deployed to keep water levels down.

Welsh Water has said it cannot access the collapsed culvert until demolition is complete, while Network Rail has also raised concerns about the site’s proximity to key infrastructure.

Emotional loss for the community

For members, the demolition is bittersweet. Club chairman Mike Kennedy previously said he was “really disappointed” but accepted that demolition was the only way to allow engineers to assess and fix the problem.

Local resident Mark Boyce described the loss as deeply personal: “I’ll be in tears when this comes down. My mother’s soul is in there — she was a cleaner for 25 years and I used to come every weekend.”

What happens next

With the building now coming down, engineers will finally be able to inspect the collapsed culvert and sewer beneath the site. The cost of repairs has been estimated at anywhere from £1 million upwards, though the true figure will only be known once the ground is exposed.

In the meantime, emergency pumping equipment remains in place to protect the roundabout and surrounding homes from further flooding.

Demolition captured on video

Two perspectives of the demolition have been shared from the scene.

Local resident Matthew Waring filmed the moment heavy machinery began tearing into the roof of the Cwmfelin Social Club, capturing the dramatic first strikes as the building came down.

Video by resident Matthew Waring shows demolition crews dismantling Cwmfelin Social Club in Cwmbwrla, Swansea, after two years on the edge of a giant sinkhole.

Meanwhile, Cllr Peter Black posted his own footage, confirming that work had officially started. He said: “Work has started demolishing the Cwmfelin Club so that the culvert and sewer can be repaired.”

Cllr Peter Black shared footage of demolition work starting at Cwmfelin Social Club, saying it will allow culvert and sewer repairs to begin.

Together, the clips show both the community’s view of the demolition and the political significance of the works, which are seen as a vital step towards tackling the flooding problems linked to the collapsed culvert beneath the site.

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Council points to Cwmfelin club sinkhole works after Cwmbwrla flooding

The authority says the repairs, completed in the club’s car park where a giant sinkhole first appeared two years ago, may be linked to the severe flooding which left the busy Cwmbwrla roundabout under water and forced the closure of surrounding roads.

Dozens of homes and businesses were affected, while cars were submerged and traffic chaos spread across the city.

Council action

Council leader Rob Stewart confirmed the authority has contacted the club for information about the work.

“Cwmfelin Social Club closed due to a sinkhole two years ago and the club appointed contractors to demolish the club. The contractors have recently filled the sinkhole. We have had no issues in the last two years with flooding in the area, while pumping equipment has been doing its job. We have today written to the club seeking details of the works their contractors completed.”

The council says its own culverts and gulleys in the area were inspected and cleared before the weekend’s heavy rain.

Welsh Water waiting on demolition

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) has said it cannot access the collapsed culvert and foul sewer system beneath the club until demolition is completed. The council has urged the club and its contractors to engage with DCWW “as a matter of urgency” to speed up the process.

In the meantime, emergency pumping equipment remains in place on the inbound carriageway to keep water levels down.

Cllr Stewart added:

“We are doing everything we can and are working with DCWW to increase the temporary pumping equipment on‑site to help reduce flood waters. This means the in‑bound traffic is still restricted and we apologise for the inconvenience caused, but our priority has to be to reduce the threat of flooding until the culvert can be repaired.”

Long‑running saga

The sinkhole first opened up in 2023, forcing the closure of the club and displacing hundreds of members. Since then, the collapsed culvert beneath the site has been repeatedly linked to flooding on Heol y Gors and at the Cwmbwrla roundabout2.

Local councillor Peter Black has previously warned that the culvert collapse has blocked the watercourse, causing water to back up and overwhelm drains during heavy rain.

Despite repeated calls for action, the club remains standing and demolition has yet to be completed. Residents have expressed frustration at the lack of progress, warning that the community has lost a much‑loved social hub while also facing repeated disruption from flooding.

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Cwmbwrla flooding: roundabout reopens but residents face long recovery

Roads and pumps still in place

Swansea Council confirmed on Wednesday morning that Cwmbwrla roundabout remains open, with pumping equipment continuing to divert water away from a damaged culvert near Cwmfelin Social Club.

At present, both inbound lanes of the A483 Carmarthen Road between Cwmbwrla roundabout and the Gors Avenue junction remain closed to city‑bound traffic. The highway is being used to accommodate large pumps that are keeping water levels under control.

Pumps used to clear the flooded Cwmbwrla Roundabout
(Images: Cllr Peter Black)

In a statement issued on Facebook, the council said:

“Understandably, many of you are probably wondering why the route into the city centre remains closed to traffic.

At present, the highway is being used to accommodate large pumping equipment that is helping to divert water away from the damaged culvert located at the Cwmfelin Social Club. This is also to allow for the removal and replacement of the damaged pumping equipment as a consequence of the flooding. Without these in place, we could suffer further flooding, particularly with more heavy rainfall overnight.

When this is done, we will be able to reopen one lane of Carmarthen Road to allow traffic into the city centre.

Heol y Gors remains fully closed to traffic.

Our highways teams and partner agencies have been working day and night to ensure everything is back to normal as quickly as possible.

Many thanks for your patience.”

Families forced from their homes

For residents, the impact has been devastating. Nigel Davies and his 80‑year‑old father Ian were rescued by boat from their home of half a century after water poured through their front door on Sunday afternoon.

Nigel described watching his fridge float through the kitchen as floodwater rose to thigh height. His father, who is bedbound, was carried to safety by emergency crews.

“My father has lived in that house for 50 years, it’s where he built a family. All of his memories of my mother are wrapped up in that house. It was really, really difficult for him to see what had happened,” Nigel said.

The pair are now in temporary accommodation, but with complex accessibility needs and insurance assessments still ongoing, it could be months before they return home.

Businesses counting the cost

Along Mansel Terrace, businesses have also been left reeling. QV Vehicle Hire and neighbouring garages reported severe damage, with equipment, tools and stock destroyed.

Owner Malcolm Perrin said:

“They are small businesses, they rely on everyday trade. They’ve still got to pay wages and bills but they’ve got nothing coming in. Nobody has come around to give them any assistance.”

With power still out in parts of the area, many traders remain unable to reopen.

Mansel Terrace flooded on Monday

Cause of the flooding

Council leader Rob Stewart said the flooding was linked to a collapsed culvert on private land near Cwmfelin Social Club.

“A number of pumps have been deployed on site to help remove the water from this location and we are working to ensure this busy route is reopened as soon as possible,” he said.

Welsh Water confirmed the culvert is not owned or maintained by the company, but said its teams had been working “round the clock” to restore services and clean up the area.

A long‑running issue

As Swansea Bay News previously reported, the collapsed Burlais Brook culvert beneath Cwmfelin Social Club has been at the centre of repeated flooding and road closures. Councillors have warned that permanent repairs cannot begin until the club is demolished — a process expected to take months.

During Sunday’s flooding, cars were submerged at the roundabout, buses were diverted, and emergency crews deployed boats to rescue residents. Social media even showed people paddleboarding through the floodwater.

Community support

Despite the devastation, neighbours and friends have rallied. A fundraising page set up for Nigel and his father has already attracted donations, though Nigel says he hopes to pass the money on to other charities if insurance covers the damage.

“The fact that people have looked at the situation and felt they could put their hands in their pocket is touching, and it makes a huge psychological difference,” he said.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Cwmbwrla roundabout closed after cars submerged in flood water – councillor links chaos to collapsed culvert
Initial coverage of the dramatic flooding that left cars underwater and highlighted the long‑running culvert issue.

Cwmbwrla roundabout closure set to continue into early hours as clean‑up continues
Follow‑up report as emergency crews worked overnight to pump out water and inspect the road surface.

Cwmfelin Social Club culvert collapse at centre of flooding concerns
Background on the collapsed culvert beneath Cwmfelin Social Club, identified as the root cause of repeated flooding in the area.

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