A Bill that provides a ‘crucial step forward' in protecting Welsh
communities from disused tips, both coal and non-coal, has today
been passed by the Senedd.
The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill, the first
legislation of its kind in the UK, will create the Disused Tips
Authority for Wales to address safety risks posed by Wales's
industrial past.
The new Authority will become a Welsh Government sponsored body
with powers to:
- Ensure disused coal and non-coal tips no longer pose a threat
to communities through instability
- Establish a comprehensive system for assessment,
registration, monitoring and management of all disused tips
Following the successful vote in the Senedd, Deputy First
Minister said:
"This legislation represents a crucial step forward in protecting
Welsh communities.
“We've seen the impact of tip instability following extreme
weather events, including the major landslide at Tylorstown
during storms Ciara and Dennis in February 2020, and more
recently at Cwmtillery in 2024 after storm Bert.
“We now have robust legislation in place and a structured
approach to managing disused coal and non-coal tips to ensure
they are not a threat to our communities.
“Wales is leading the way in addressing these challenges and
ensuring our communities are safe for generations to come."
Wales has a proud mining heritage, and its legacy is visible
across our landscape. There are 2,573 disused coal tips in Wales,
and whilst they are predominantly in the South Wales valleys,
this issue impacts both West and North Wales, as well as there
being an estimated 20,000 other disused tips (i.e. not coal) in
Wales.
Work is already underway towards setting up the Authority, and
consideration is being given to its location, systems and
governance to ensure all aspects of the Bill are captured and
delivered on.
The appointment process for a Chair and Chief Executive will
commence shortly and both will be in post before the Authority is
formally established on 1 April 2027.
In the interim, the Welsh Government's coal tip safety programme
of work carries on and continues to work closely with local
authorities, Natural Resources Wales and the Mining Remediation
Authority to deliver an effective inspection and maintenance
regime across Wales.
Welsh Government provides funding to local authorities and
Natural Resources Wales to undertake works on disused tips,
through the Coal Tip Safety Grant scheme. This includes funding
work which the local authority might undertake on privately owned
tips.
On 20 March 2025, the Deputy First Minister confirmed that in
2025-26, Welsh Government is providing £34 million for our public
partners to undertake works on 130 coal tips across Wales – this
will take investment beyond £100m in this Senedd term.
The recently confirmed additional allocation from the UK
Government will mean over £220m will have been invested in coal
tip safety.
