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.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Call for more cash for coal tip safety as new data shows Neath Port Talbot has greatest number of sites
Figures reveal Neath Port Talbot has 607 disused coal tips – more than double any other Welsh county – prompting fresh funding demands.
Safety works to begin at Cwmgwrach coal tip to reduce landslip risk
Drainage improvements and stabilisation measures planned after site’s risk category was upgraded.
Record funding for coal tip safety works announced, including more than £6.3m for Neath Port Talbot
Welsh Government unveils £34m programme to improve safety at over 130 coal tip sites across Wales.
Law Commission’s report on regulating coal tip safety in Wales a ‘significant milestone’
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Ministers warn the cost of remediation could reach £600m over the next 15 years.
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