£3.6m secured to make more than 620 coal tips safe in Neath Port Talbot

The funding, confirmed through the Welsh Government’s new multiyear coal tip safety grant scheme, will be spent over the next three years as the council steps up work to manage ageing tips made increasingly unstable by extreme weather.

Neath Port Talbot has some of the highest concentrations of former coal tips in the country, many of them sitting close to homes, roads and rivers. The council said the condition of tips can change quickly, with heavy rain and storms increasing the risk of movement.

£1.2m of the funding will be used to create a dedicated Tip Management Team responsible for inspections, monitoring and planning future mitigation works. The team will work closely with the Mining Remediation Authority to ensure the council can respond quickly to any emerging risks.

A further £2.4m will go directly into mitigation works already identified as necessary to keep communities safe. These will be prioritised based on risk, with additional funding allocated if further issues are uncovered.

Neath Port Talbot is one of 10 councils to secure support through the scheme, which runs until the end of the 2028‑29 financial year. In total, £80m is being made available across Wales.

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Councillor Steve Hunt, said:

“Safeguarding communities from unsafe coal tips is vital. This funding shows Neath Port Talbot Council is taking a proactive approach to address the problem. We hope this provides reassurance to residents that their safety is a priority.”

The council said the work will help modernise the way coal tips are monitored, ensuring regular inspections and long‑term planning as climate change increases the likelihood of heavy rainfall and ground instability.

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Coal tip danger escalates in South West Wales

The risk rating has increased to the highest levels for five more coal tips in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot, bringing the total number of high‑risk tips in these former mining communities to more than 80.

The newly classified tips include two in the Llynfi Valley above Caerau and Maesteg, and three in the Godre’r‑graig area of the Swansea Valley — the same community where a primary school was closed and later demolished because of fears a spoil tip could collapse.

Neath Port Talbot: Godre’r‑graig in the spotlight

Neath Port Talbot has 41 high‑risk coal tips in total. The latest update confirms that three tips at Godre’r‑graig have been reclassified to Category D, the highest risk level.

The reclassification comes just six years after Godre’r‑graig Primary School was evacuated and later demolished because of the threat from a spoil tip above the playground. Families in the village are still waiting for a permanent replacement school.

Other high‑risk tips in Neath Port Talbot are concentrated in the Afan Valley (Cymmer, Croeserw, Glyncorrwg), the Dulais Valley (Crynant, Seven Sisters, Onllwyn), and around Resolven and Blaengwrach.

📊 Table: Neath Port Talbot high‑risk tips

Bridgend: Valleys carry the heaviest burden

Bridgend has 42 high‑risk tips — the highest number in South West Wales. The Garw and Llynfi valleys carry the greatest concentration, with clusters above Pontycymmer, Blaengarw and Caerau.

Two tips in the Llynfi Valley were reclassified to Category D in the October 2025 update, adding to long‑standing concerns in communities where spoil heaps sit above homes and schools.

📊 Table: Bridgend high‑risk tips

Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire: lighter but not risk‑free

Further west, the numbers are smaller but the risks remain. Swansea has five Category C tips, spread across Cadle/Portmead (2), Pontardawe, Felindre and Loughor. None are currently rated at Category D, but all require annual inspections.

Neighbouring Carmarthenshire has just one Category C tip, located at Ammanford in the Amman Valley — the only high‑risk site in the county.

In Pembrokeshire, no Category C or D tips are recorded, reflecting the county’s different mining history.

The city and county have also faced other mining‑related legacies. In January 2021, homes in Clydach were flooded after water surged from old mine workings, underlining how the impact of coal is not confined to spoil tips alone.

📊 Table: Swansea & Carmarthenshire high‑risk tips

➡️ Pembrokeshire: No Category C or D tips recorded.

A legacy of tragedy and neglect

It is almost sixty years since the Aberfan disaster, when 116 children and 28 adults were killed as a coal tip collapsed onto a school and nearby homes.

Coalfield historian Ben Curtis said that while some tips were removed or made safe after Aberfan, the danger has never gone away.

“It is a potential problem that continues to remain for some of these tips to become unsafe over time, perhaps because of factors like the effects of climate change and increased rainfall,” he said.

For decades afterwards, little was known about the precise locations or conditions of Wales’ thousands of disused coal tips. That changed only after a landslip above Tylorstown in Rhondda Cynon Taf five years ago, which prompted the creation of a national register and new legislation to ensure tips were monitored and made safe.

Today, more than 2,500 disused coal tips have been identified across Wales, the majority of them in the south Wales coalfield. Of these, 360 are classed as Category C or D — the higher‑risk sites that must be inspected once or twice a year. Lower‑risk tips are categorised as A or B.

Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Caerphilly remain the counties with the highest concentrations of Category C and D tips, each with more than 50. But the latest figures show that communities in Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthenshire are also living with dozens of high‑risk sites on their hillsides.

New dataset and map

The figures come from the latest update to the Welsh Government’s national coal tip database, published on 3 October. The database, first launched in 2023, is updated twice a year and is available through an interactive online map that allows residents to check the location and risk category of tips near their communities.

Coal Authority chief executive Lisa Pinney said managing tips on hillsides was key to reducing risk.

“Just under 300 are higher‑risk sites but that really just means that they need much more regular attention and inspection to make sure they stay safe. Any tip which is old mining material sitting on a hillside can pose a risk, obviously, but the key thing to their safety is to manage water and keep it away. And that’s why these inspections and maintenance are so important.”

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies added:

“The regular updating of this national, publicly available data demonstrates our unwavering commitment to coal tip safety across Wales, and our absolute dedication to protecting people. I want to reassure people living near to where tips have moved categories that this means they will receive increased monitoring and management.”

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Investment and legislation

The Welsh and UK governments say they have now committed more than £220m to coal tip safety, with £118m pledged by Westminster over three years and the remainder from Cardiff Bay. Officials say the funding is being used for inspections, maintenance and remediation works.

But ministers have also warned that the true cost of remediation could reach £500–600m over the next 10–15 years, far above the sums invested so far. In Neath Port Talbot alone, more than £6.3m has been earmarked for safety works, including drainage improvements at Cwmgwrach where one tip was recently upgraded to Category D.

A new law — the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Act — received Royal Assent last month. It will establish a dedicated Disused Tips Authority in 2027 to oversee monitoring and management. The legislation builds on proposals first set out in 2022, when ministers argued that the old law was “no longer fit‑for‑purpose” and called for a supervisory body with enforcement powers and rights of access.

⚠️ What do coal tip categories mean?

Category D
Highest risk. Potential to endanger life or property. Inspected at least twice a year.

Category C
Significant risk. Potential to impact public safety. Inspected at least once a year.

Category A & B
Lower risk. A = very low, B = low. Inspected less frequently.

Why it matters: Category C and D tips are the focus of safety works and new legislation, as they pose the greatest potential danger to communities.

Communities still living with coal’s legacy

Across South West Wales, more than 90 high‑risk tips remain on hillsides above towns and villages. For residents in places like Godre’r‑graig and Caerau, the latest reclassifications are a reminder that the scars of coal mining are not just historical — they continue to shape daily life.

Campaigners say the figures underline the need for long‑term solutions, not just inspections. As one local activist put it: “We’ve lived with these tips for generations. Every reclassification is a reminder that the risk is still with us.”

The risks are not confined to spoil tips alone. In 2021, a burst mine shaft in Skewen caused catastrophic flooding, leading to a national mines safety summit. First Minister Mark Drakeford warned then that climate change and heavier rainfall would increase the likelihood of such incidents.

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“Shameful” answer from First Minister on replacement for demolished Swansea Valley school

School closed over landslide risk

Godre’r Graig Primary was shut in July 2019 after a geotechnical report identified a medium risk of landslide from a quarry spoil tip above the playground. Pupils were moved into portable classrooms near Cwmtawe Community School in Pontardawe, more than three miles away. The original building has since been demolished.

Neath Port Talbot Council has submitted an application to Welsh Government for funding to build a replacement school. But uncertainty over the bid, and how it is being assessed, has raised concerns among staff and parents about the school’s long‑term future.

Clash in the Senedd

Raising the issue in the Senedd on Tuesday (30 September), South Wales West MS Sioned Williams said correspondence seen by the school suggested the application was being treated as if it were for a brand‑new school, rather than a replacement forced by “the scars of our industrial legacy.”

In response, the First Minister said:

“Well, my understanding is that the Plaid council blocked the new school proposal, and that is something that you may want to reflect on.”

The remark referred to the previous Labour administration’s controversial “super school” plan, which would have merged Godre’r Graig with Alltwen and Llangiwg primaries on a new site at Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe. That proposal was overturned by the council’s new rainbow coalition in 2022 following strong community opposition.

“Children deserved a better response”

Speaking afterwards, Ms Williams said:

“The children, staff and community of Godre’rgraig deserved a better response to their situation than that given by the First Minister today.

This building was closed through no fault of the school, its staff or its pupils but rather the scars of our industrial legacy – that are continuing to impact our children to this day.

It was shameful to see the First Minister play politics with the future of Godre’r Graig Primary School without even trying to answer my question about the need to recognise the exceptional circumstances that led to the school requiring a new building.”

She confirmed she will be writing to the First Minister to demand a “substantive response more befitting of her office.”

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Landmark coal tip safety law comes into force in Wales

The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill received Royal Assent today (Thursday 11 September) at a ceremony at Blaenavon’s Big Pit, where it was officially sealed by First Minister Eluned Morgan.

The law modernises how disused tips are monitored and maintained, aiming to reduce the risk of landslides and other hazards. It follows the Senedd’s approval of the Bill in July and years of calls for a comprehensive legal framework to address what the Law Commission described as “significant gaps” in existing regulation.

£220m invested so far – but long‑term costs far higher

The legislation comes alongside record funding from both the Welsh and UK governments. The UK Government has committed £118m over three years, while the Welsh Government has invested more than £100m — a combined total of over £220m to date.

However, ministers and local government leaders have repeatedly warned that the long‑term cost of making Wales’s coal tips safe is likely to be between £500m and £600m over the next 10–15 years3. Around 40% of the UK’s disused coal tips are in Wales, and one in seven is classed as high‑risk.

Data published by the Welsh Government in 2023 showed Neath Port Talbot has the greatest number of disused coal tip sites in Wales — 607 in total — more than double any other local authority. While Rhondda Cynon Taf has the most high‑risk tips, Swansea has 203 sites, five of which are in the highest risk categories.

New Disused Tips Authority

The Act will establish the Disused Tips Authority for Wales in April 2027. The single‑purpose body will be responsible for assessing, registering, monitoring and managing disused tips, formalising the work currently carried out by the Mining Remediation Authority.

Until then, the Welsh Government’s coal tip safety programme will continue to work with local authorities, Natural Resources Wales and the existing authority to inspect and maintain sites. This includes targeted safety works such as the current drainage reinforcement project at the Cwmgwrach tip in the Vale of Neath, where one site was recently upgraded from category B to D due to increased safety concerns.

Climate change and safety risks

First Minister Eluned Morgan said the law was part of a generational commitment to communities living “in the shadows of our mining past”.

“We’ve changed the law, and we are going even further by setting up a new organisation to carry on this important safety work for generations to come,” she said. “This investment brings economic growth and employment opportunities to some of the most deprived areas of Wales, bringing land back into use and encouraging investment in new technologies.”

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies, who has responsibility for climate change, said the legislation recognised the combined impact of Wales’s industrial past and a changing climate.

“We are already monitoring and inspecting tips, sharing information, and working with partners to protect communities,” he said. “The recent £118m additional funding from the UK Government really recognises the shared responsibility to address the legacy of coal mining in Wales.”

Calls for sustained UK Government funding

While today’s ceremony marks a legislative milestone, Welsh ministers have long argued that the pre‑devolution nature of the coal tip legacy means the UK Government has a “legal and moral responsibility” to share the long‑term costs.

Local government leaders have also stressed that without sustained funding, councils will struggle to carry out the necessary remediation work. The Welsh Local Government Association has warned that climate change is increasing the risks, with heavier rainfall and warmer temperatures making landslips more likely.

Recent safety investment

Earlier this year, the Welsh Government announced £34m for safety works at more than 130 coal tip sites, including over £6.3m for Neath Port Talbot. Sites earmarked for work included those affected by previous landslips, such as Tylorstown in 2020, and Cwmtillery in 2024.

The new law also follows the Law Commission’s 36 recommendations for reform, including the creation of a dedicated supervisory authority, consistent inspection regimes, and better public information on tip locations.

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Safety works to begin at Cwmgwrach coal tip to reduce landslip risk

The site, located in the Vale of Neath, was originally part of the Cwmgwrach Colliery, which opened in 1898 under Empire Collieries Ltd and produced anthracite, steam, and manufacturing coals. Mining activity in the area dates back even further to 1814, when Edward Protheroe first worked the Cwmgwrach levels. A disused sandstone quarry nearby has also caused confusion in recent years, having been mistakenly identified as a spoil tip, raising questions about its safety classification.

Contractors working on behalf of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will begin reinforcing the site’s drainage infrastructure using blockstone and rock rolls. The operation is expected to run until October 2025, with access via Heol-y-Graig road and no road closures planned. Heavy Goods Vehicles will operate between 8am and 6pm on weekdays, with limited weekend activity.

The site is part of the Welsh Government’s coal tip safety programme, which includes regular inspections and reclassification of high-risk tips. One nearby tip, T67079, has recently been upgraded from category B to D, reflecting increased safety concerns. The programme also includes community engagement efforts, such as drop-in sessions and online events to address local concerns—particularly those raised about the proximity of the tip to a nearby primary school.

David Garth, Projects and Programme Consultant, Natural Resources Wales, said:

“We are committed to improving safety at the disused coal tip in Cwmgwrach and reducing the risk of colliery tip movement in the area. This important work will reinforce the existing drainage infrastructure.”

“We appreciate residents’ patience while this work is carried out and will do everything we can to limit the disruption caused.”

The improvements come amid a wider national focus on coal tip safety, following incidents elsewhere in Wales and the introduction of new legislation aimed at managing disused mine and quarry tips more effectively.

#coalTip #coalTipSafety #Cwmgwrach #disusedCoalTip #Glynneath #NaturalResourcesWales #NRW