FUNDING of £3.6m has been awarded to Neath Port Talbot Council over the next three years in order to monitor and make coal tips across the county safe.
The Welsh Government funding comes as part of its new coal tip safety grant for inspection and maintenance works on more than 620 former coal tip sites based in Neath Port Talbot.
The money will be used to create a new tip management team that will carry out inspections of the tips along with the design, programming, and planning of any future mitigation works.
It will also be used to carry out mitigation works already identified as being needed to keep local communities safe from the potential hazards posed by coal tip sites.
The figure comes from a total of £80m worth of funding that has been set aside for local authorities across Wales.
Neath Port Talbot has the highest number of disused coal tips in Wales and is one of 10 local authorities to be targeted through the scheme.
Works will now be aimed at a number of local tips such as those at Godre’r Graig higher level and Pentwyn, Tirbach Colliery, and Pen Rhiw Colliery.
A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesman said: “Mitigation works will be prioritised based on risk levels and funds will be allocated accordingly should further mitigation work be required.
“Neath Port Talbot is among 10 local authorities to be successful through the grant scheme, which lasts until the end of the 2028-29 financial year.”
The leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, 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 deputy leader Alun Llewelyn added: “In our valley areas we are all aware of the legacy of coal mining and the impact it still has on a number of communities.
“It has been very important for us to secure this funding for us to monitor the condition of local coal tips and to ensure the safety of our local residents.”
