Written question WQ83554
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
How many of the high-risk tips identified as requiring maintenance works to commence within six to 12 months have seen the works commence within the recommended timeframe?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
Local authorities, Natural Resources Wales, and the Coal Authority are leading on the delivery of works identified through the inspection programme. We have been advised of works planned at more than 100 coal tip sites, with work currently at different stages, including additional surveys being undertaken, tendering, design, planning and operational delivery.
I published a written statement about coal tip safety on 11 October: https://gov.wales/written-statement-update-coal-tip-safety-0
Wales is disproportionately affected by the legacy of the UK coal industry. We are working hard to protect our coalfield communities against the risk of coal tips slipping – a dangerous legacy of the UK’s proud industrial past. But the UK Government also has a role to play in supporting a long-term funding plan, outside the Barnett formula, to reflect and mitigate these industrial legacy risks, which Wales faces.