First Minister welcomes coal tip safety funding
Eluned Morgan says the extra funding announced in the Chancellor's spending review will help make coal tip areas safer
Following the UK Government’s Spending Review announcement on 11 June, the UK Government will provide £118m over 3 years towards coal tip safety.
With the Welsh Government’s investment, the joint UK and Welsh Government investment in coal tip safety stands at over £220m.
Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill:
In December the Deputy First Minister introduced the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill to the Senedd.
The legislation will aim to ensure the long-term management of disused tips and reduce the threat to public safety.
If passed, the new legislation will establish a new public body – the Authority - that has functions in relation to the assessment, registration, monitoring and management of disused tips.
Previously, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said:
"This Welsh Government is unwavering in our commitment to protecting our communities.
"In December, I introduced the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill to the Senedd, first-of-its-kind legislation in the UK which places Wales at the forefront of developing comprehensive safety systems for disused tips.
"If passed, this groundbreaking legislation will establish a dedicated public body to safeguard against threats from tip instability. The new authority would take full responsibility for assessment, registration, monitoring and management of these sites across Wales, helping to provide peace of mind to nearby communities."
The new Authority will be established in April 2027.
On 16 February 2020, a landslide occurred on the Llanwonno hillside at Tylorstown during Storm Dennis, resulting in 60,000 tonnes of material falling into the Rhondda Fach River.
Speaking in Tylorstown, First Minister Eluned Morgan said:
"We are monitoring the tips now in a way that weren't being monitored before so that we're identifying the the most dangerous tips, and, obviously, the work will be prioritised to address those.
"These are the communities that powered the empire, and it's not right that, we should pay a price.
"It is the United Kingdom that has to take responsibility as well, and it's great that they {the UK Government} are stepping in and stepping up with some additional money."
Now, the Welsh Government says local businesses will provide 'a substantial portion' of the safety resources to help deliver the coal tip safety programme in Wales.