Another Category D coal tiplandslip this time in Cwmtillery
Philip Thomas of Clear South Wales’ Coal Tips said, I’ve been saying for years here, that not enough is being done. The new law hasn’t been passed, which means there is still NO law in place for disused coal tips. Which effectively means there is no obligation on the landowner to improve a coal tip. By the time a stability issue is known, it is too late.
There’s still a big question about who picks up the cost of a slip on a privately owned tip and more than half of the over 300 high-risk coal tips are privately owned. If the public pays to resolve issues on a private tip, shouldn’t it become publicly owned, such as the remediated parks; Penallta, Taf Bargoed and Aberbargoed?
The Welsh government has been dragging their heels and arguing with Westminster over the cost and has clearly taken too long to bring in the new law for disused coal tips, which was in their remit.
Collapsed coal tip led to ‘frightening’ landslip
Since the Aberfan disaster in 1966, there have been several coal tip slides in South Wales:
Llanwonno Tip, Tylorstown (February 2020): A landslide occurred following Storm Dennis, prompting inspections of 20 other tips to prevent further incidents.
Wattstown, Rhondda Cynon Taf (December 2020): Another landslip occurred here, although it did not threaten nearby properties.
Clydach Vale, Mountain Ash, Clydach, and Pontygwaith (By October 2021): These areas experienced slips as well.
These incidents highlight the ongoing risk posed by coal tips in the region, exacerbated by climate change and increased rainfall. The Welsh Government has since initiated measures to assess and manage the safety of these tips.
As of November 2023, there are 360 coal tips in Wales classified as higher risk (categories C and D).
These tips are considered to have the potential to impact public safety, although they do not pose an imminent or immediate threat. The majority of these higher-risk tips are located in the South Wales Valleys, with approximately 90% of them situated in this region.
Category C tips require annual inspections, while Category D tips are inspected twice a year to ensure their safety and identify any necessary maintenance work4.
