THE DEPUTY First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, has returned to Cwmtillery one year after a major landslip at a disused coal tip during Storm Bert in November 2024.
Joined by officials from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the Mining Remediation Authority, he viewed the significant progress made on key stabilisation and safety works.
The programme includes new drainage systems and extensive slope reprofiling designed to reduce erosion and limit the risk of further landslips. The work has been supported by £610,000 of Welsh Government funding through the Coal Tip Safety Grant Scheme.
The Deputy First Minister, who leads on climate change, said: “The scenes from Cwmtillery last year will always stay with me, and I know the impact is still felt by the community today.
I’ll forever remain grateful to the emergency services and our local partners for their swift response which ensured residents were taken to safety during what was undoubtedly a terrifying experience.
Returning to Cwmtillery twelve months on, I’m pleased to see the substantial progress made to support this community and make the site safer.
We remain absolutely dedicated to protecting people and ensuring communities living in the shadow of former tips are safe, both now and in the future.”
To date, combined Welsh and UK Government investment in coal tip safety has surpassed £220m. This record funding is enabling vital remediation and monitoring work across Wales, as the Welsh Government continues to strengthen inspection regimes in partnership with local authorities and specialist agencies.
Councillor Tommy Smith, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Environment at Blaenau Gwent Council, said: “Our thoughts remain with all residents affected by the landslide in Cwmtillery. Working closely with partners, including the Welsh Government, we have carried out extensive investigations and remedial works at the disused tip site.
This has included upgraded drainage to divert water away and ongoing assessments on whether further measures, such as additional reprofiling, are needed.
We are fully committed to this work, supporting the local community, and keeping residents informed every step of the way. Alongside the Mining Remediation Authority, we continue to conduct regular inspections and closely monitor the area during adverse weather conditions.”
Alongside on-the-ground improvements, landmark legislation has been passed to strengthen long-term safety management of Wales’s mining legacy.
The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Act will create the Disused Tips Authority for Wales, due to be established in Merthyr Tydfil in April 2027. The new body will bring around 60 jobs and will be responsible for assessing, categorising, registering and inspecting all disused tips across Wales, ensuring they are managed safely well into the future.
