Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Leslie Morgan and his wife, Dianne, dedicated years to building their ideal home in the former mining community of Cwmtillery. Unbeknownst to them, their property backed directly onto a coal tip—a large heap of mining waste left behind from past operations. This coal tip collapsed about a year ago, releasing approximately 350 tonnes of slurry that surged through the village of Blaenau Gwent, burying Mr. Morgan’s driveway under debris. It took him three days to clear the mess. Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Morgan explained, “We didn’t realise there was a tip [when we bought it].” The couple now live in constant fear, particularly when it rains, as water rushes down like a river, leaving Dianne sleepless and anxious.
Since the landslide, the Morgans’ enjoyment of their home has been deeply affected. Mr. Morgan expressed the toll it has taken on their lives and the value of their investment: “It’s taken the pleasure out of us living here and it’s devalued our home, it’s become worthless.” They are not alone in facing such difficulties. Around 40 homes had to be evacuated last November when Storm Bert triggered a flow of coal tip waste through Cwmtillery’s streets. Residents witnessed slurry carrying large trees and boulders, while many properties were submerged in mud and sludge. Long-term resident Brian Preece described his own home suffering from severe water damage, recalling, “I looked out the window and the water was lapping at the bottom of the window sill.”
The impact on the local community has been profound. Mr. Preece pointed out that insurance premiums for many residents soared despite the plummeting value of their homes. Concerned about safety, he has prohibited his grandchildren from playing in his garden, which borders the tip. He warned of the potential danger, saying, “If [a landslide] comes it will knock the house straight over. It’ll wipe people out, if it comes at the right time there’ll be loss of life.” For decades, the locations and conditions of coal tips in Wales were poorly understood, but a significant landslide in Rhondda Cynon Taf five years ago led to the creation of a register and new legislation to oversee these sites. So far, authorities have identified around 2,500 tips, with 360 deemed potentially dangerous to the public.
During a visit to Cwmtillery, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies acknowledged that a complete guarantee of tip safety could not be made but emphasized the substantial investment by both the Welsh and UK governments, which has exceeded £220 million in efforts to secure these areas. He stated, “If you’re asking me as a minister can I give a 100% guarantee on every disused tip in Wales, no. I can give you the guarantee we’re doing everything we possibly can to make these communities safe by this… seismic investment.” A new law aimed at improving coal tip safety was passed in the Senedd earlier this year, though the Welsh government has indicated that fully securing all tips could cost up to £600 million. Some local councils have expressed that even this amount is far from sufficient. Meanwhile, in Cwmtillery, work is underway to reprofile the land and install drainage systems intended to stabilize the area and reduce the risk of future disasters. However, many residents, including the Morgans, remain unconvinced and are considering leaving their homes. Mr. Morgan himself voiced a desire for the complete removal of the tip, admitting, “I’d like to see it removed – it’s frightening.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.