Concern as deluge leads to tip landslip
AS RAIN battered Wales, engineers rushed to a coal tip above Wattstown in Rhondda after material started moving down the side of the mountain.
Nine months ago, a major tip slide at Tylorstown after Storm Dennis caused anxiety and the UK Treasury subsequently agreed to fork out £2.5m for remedial work.
Chris Bryant, Labour MP for Rhondda, said the tip had been subject to close monitoring for months.
Speaking after the initial assessment had been carried out by engineers, the MP said the tip was relatively shallow and you get to rock fairly quickly,
Mr Bryant added that there are around 2,000 coal tips scattered across south Wales, and stabilising them would cost upwards of £50m.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council reassured residents that the slip is within “anticipated parameters of movement”.
The council said: “During the past 24 hours, Rhondda Cynon Taf has experienced prolonged periods of heavy rain, with a Met Office amber weather warning in force. As a result, there has been movement at Wattstown Tip in the Rhondda, a tip which is privately owned and situated on private land, which Rhondda Cynon Taf council, in conjunction with the Coal Authority, has been monitoring closely this year.
“In recent months monitoring arrangements have been stepped up due to the increased risk, with engineers visiting the site every two weeks.
“A full evaluation of the situation is currently being undertaken, but initial feedback indicates that the slip is shallow and within anticipated parameters of movement.”
Council leader Andrew Morgan is in discussions with Welsh Government ministers.