Council workers were cautioned while clearing a dangerous coal tip after a landslide in Tylorstown, risking thousands of lives.
Tylorstown: Council workers faced serious challenges after a landslide. They were trying to make a coal tip safe, which had put many lives at risk.
Andrew Morgan, the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, shared that staff were warned by Natural Resources Wales. This happened after the landslip during Storm Dennis.
He called it outrageous that they could face prosecution for their efforts. The council needed permits to move 60,000 tonnes of coal that had slipped into the River Rhondda.
Some permits take 12 to 13 weeks to get. They also needed a license to remove trees, which couldn’t be issued after the fact.
Uncontrolled
Cllr Morgan explained that they had emergency plans ready. They were prepared to evacuate thousands of homes if the river became blocked.
If the coal created a dam, it could lead to a massive flood. This would have endangered many lives in the valleys.
He noted that they had to act quickly, with support from the First Minister and Prime Minister. However, two officers faced potential criminal charges for moving waste material.
During a committee meeting, Cllr Morgan discussed the Welsh Government’s bill on disused tips. He mentioned that some issues still need addressing.
Common Sense
Fortunately, common sense prevailed, and the officers were not prosecuted. Cllr Morgan stressed that this situation should never happen again.
He expressed concern that the bill might not cover essential issues. He recalled a similar incident during the 2020 storm, where debris blocked the river in Ynyshir.
That blockage caused flooding in the streets. Again, officers faced potential prosecution for clearing the debris.
If the bill passes, it will create the Disused Tips Authority for Wales. This aims to ensure that over 2,570 coal tips are safe and stable.
Not Fit for Purpose
Cllr Morgan criticized current legislation as inadequate. He said the bill seems focused on existing conditions of the tips.
He questioned whether the bill would address emergencies effectively. Jacqueline Mynott from RCT Council warned about unclear language in the bill.
Cllr Morgan added that if the term “serious” isn’t defined, they could face prosecution for necessary work without proper permits.
No Budget Whatsoever
Kevin Kinsey from Blaenau Gwent Council welcomed the bill. He noted that the legacy of mining has been overlooked.
Before the coal tip safety grant, they had no budget for maintenance. They received over £1 million in funding recently, which helped address many issues.
They managed to maintain a tip that had failed before Christmas. Fortunately, that area came through the storm without any problems.
However, last year, their application for funding was cut by about 70%. This left them unable to complete much of their planned work.
