New list still doesn’t pinpoint ‘at risk’ tips
WALES has 2,456 coal tips – and Welsh Government has now published a list of which council area they are in.
However, it is still refusing to publish their exact locations.
The list shows that Neath Port Talbot has the greatest total number of sites with 607, but that Rhondda Cynon Taf has the most sites classified as being at higher risk at 75.
Higher risk sites are in categories C and D which mean there is a potential to cause risk to safety, not that there is an imminent or immediate threat. More frequent inspections are scheduled to take place at those sites.
RCT has 52 in category C and 23 in category D and Neath Port Talbot has 12 in category D and 27 in category C. Meanwhile Swansea has five in category C, but none in category D.
Welsh Government said the exact locations will be released publicly following “further quality assurance work” and have been shared with councils and local resilience forums to support emergency preparedness.
Ahead of the budget today, Welsh Government has renewed its calls for UK Government to provide the money needed to see to the sites.
Finance Minister Rebecca Evans last month said UK Government should provide up to £600m over the next 10 to 15 years to make the 1,200 coal tips in Wales safe because they were created before devolution.
However, after their request last month, UK Government responded saying it did not intend to give the £600m extra that was needed.
The safety of coal tips hit the headlines after thousands of tonnes of rock and debris slid down the side of the valley from the Llanwonno tip in Tylorstown in February last year.
Others slips took place near the council offices in Clydach Vale, on the railway line to Aberdare near Mountain Ash, and in Wattstown. There were others in Clydach and Pontygwaith.
It not only brought the reality of living near a coal tip starkly into public consciousness but highlighted the issues with ownership and responsibility of the tips.
The Coal Tip Safety Summit was meeting yesterday.
First Minister Mark Drakeford was being joined by cabinet colleagues Finance Minister Rebecca Evans and Climate Change Minister Julie James as well as UK Government Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change Minister Anne Marie Trevelyan MP.
The summit was to discuss the progress of the Coal Tip Safety Task Force, including data mapping and ongoing maintenance and inspection work as well as funding for the longterm reclamation of coal tips.
Mr Drakeford said: “We recognise how concerning living in the shadow of a coal tip can be for communities and we want to reassure local residents that a lot of work is being done to ensure they are safe.
“An inspection and maintenance regime is in place, with winter inspections currently under way on the higher risk tips.
“We’re also piloting technology trials to better understand any ground movement at higher risk sites. But we know the risks will increase with climate change and we know the importance of reaching a long-term solution.
“These sites pre-date devolution. Our funding settlement does not recognise the substantial, long-term costs of remediating and repairing these sites.
“[The] Spending Review is an opportunity for the UK Government to use its financial powers to help communities who’ve given so much to Wales and the United Kingdom during the coal-mining years. A package of investment to remediate these sites will show how our two governments can work together for the communities we serve.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader Andrew Morgan said: “Work is being undertaken regularly to monitor and inspect coal tips for any movement or activity. However, this data shows that substantial long-term investment is needed if we are to make sure that necessary repair work is carried out and to ensure the safety of these sites across Wales.
“I am pleased that both the UK Government and Welsh Government are taking the issue seriously and have set up the Coal Tip Safety Task Force to jointly map out the work needed.
“However, despite a cross-party joint letter endorsed by all of the 22 council leaders in Wales requesting UK Government funding, it is disappointing that the UK Government – despite some initial financial support – has so far refused to commit to an ongoing programme of funding which is going to be needed to deal with this legacy issue which pre-dates devolution.
“The Spending Review gives a chance for the UK Government to give some much-needed reassurance to communities that are still living in the shadow of their industrial legacy.
“By working together with partners including UK Government, Welsh Government and local government, and with long term investment, we can help to make sure that we protect these sites against future climate change risks, and to prevent repeating past disasters.”