Welsh communities 'can't afford to wait longer' for coal tip restoration
Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Climate Change, Delyth Jewell, has criticised Labour’s delay in bringing forward legislation to ensure safety of disused coal tips in Wales.
On Tuesday, April 28th, the Senedd will debate the general principles of the long-awaited Disused Mine and Quarry Tips Bill.
The Plaid Cymru MS has judged Labour Governments both in Westminster and Cardiff Bay. She stated that the “£25 million given by the Treasury last year won’t begin to cover the work that needs to be done” and that the legislation is ‘overdue’, and needs strengthening.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Climate Change, Delyth Jewell MS, said:
“Wales shouldn’t have to pay to clear coal tips from our valleys – they’re a legacy of Westminster’s neglect over decades, and they should be footing the bill. The bill that’s before the Senedd, though overdue, is welcome, but I’ll be pushing for changes to strengthen it.
“Governments at both ends of the M4 have known about the danger of these coal tips for years, and it’s dismaying that it’s taken this long for legislation to be brought forward. With climate change and increased rainfall worsening the dangers these tips pose, we cannot afford to wait to make these tips safe. What happened at Cwmtillery last year made that shockingly clear.
“The legislation is silent on one major issue, which is how much funding we’ll receive from Westminster in the future to clear the tips. The worry that permeates communities living in the shadow of these tips won’t be lifted until we get clarity on when that vital funding will be confirmed. The £25 million given by the Treasury last year won’t begin to cover the work that needs to be done. Wales has already waited decades too long for this money. Our communities can’t afford to wait any longer.”