A Heavy Legacy: Is Wales Investing Enough to Secure Its Coal Tips?

The safety of Wales’ coal tips has come under scrutiny as public funding is deemed insufficient to tackle the scale of the issue. A recent session of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee revealed that the money allocated to make these historical sites safe is merely ”scratching the surface”. Despite Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcing £118 million to reinforce coal tip safety, local authorities argue that this does not match the entrenched risks and historical legacy they face.

Nicola Pearce from Neath Port Talbot council emphasized that the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill will not be effective without sufficient funding for continuous monitoring and remediation work. Since 2020, her council has received £14.4 million for significant safety tasks, but the sheer volume of 617 tips in the area poses an ongoing challenge.

Mark Williams from Caerphilly council echoed this sentiment, noting his authority received approximately £3 million for maintenance in 2025-26, which is grossly inadequate. With 205 tips in the borough and an inspection cost averaging £15,000 annually, more UK government funding is crucial. Both representatives highlighted a worrying shortage of skilled professionals necessary for remediation work as another complicating factor.

The Welsh government remains committed to addressing this pressing concern, stating that their priority is ensuring communities are safe from possible hazards posed by disused tips. A combined investment of over £220 million from both the UK and Welsh governments has been earmarked for coal tip safety, bringing attention to the complexity and urgency behind these historical environmental issues.