Last Monday's quakes have left one in five Christchurch residents wanting to leave the city, according to a poll. In one of the city's worst affected streets, some residents have already packed their bags, but most have had little choice but to stay until the fate of their community is decided. Lois Cairns reports.

Once upon a time Liggins St was a suburban haven – now it is a battered and broken mess.

After each of Christchurch's big quakes, silt, water and sewerage have spurted up from the ground, turning the low-lying Burwood street into a swirling brown mud-pool. There are big holes in the road, the lamp-posts lean at funny angles, and the houses bear the scars of months of constant shaking.

There is an unpleasant whiff in the air and portaloos line the footpath because the street's sewerage system was broken in February's quake and has yet to be fixed.

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