Caerphilly candidates views on Bedwas coal tips

“The coal tips of Bedwas represent not only a legacy of our industrial past but a potential resource for our future, if approached with care, innovation, and community oversight.

“I support the responsible re-mining of these tips, provided it is done safely and transparently. After all, this isn’t about returning to the past, it’s about using what remains to build a stronger, fairer future for Bedwas and wider communities across Caerphilly.

“If carried out correctly, coal tip mining can be a bridge between our heritage and our progress.”

"I am opposed to Private enterprise using this just to make a profit. I do not trust them. Yes I want the colliery waste taken away. I want it taken by rail and not road. No to 50 lorries a day for years. There is a rail link close and could be accessed without driving through the villages."

“I have young children similar in age to those children that lost their lives in the 1966 Abervan disaster. That disaster was brought home to me following the coverage of the Cwmtillery coal tip slip, following storm Bert in December 2024. Not that long ago. Fortunately no one was hurt, but the slurry came very, very close to the houses.

Also, a very good friend of mine lives in the western end of the South Wales Coal field, and he tells me that another problem with abandoned coal tip's are, that they are susceptible to catching fire.

Whilst improved drainage may be a solution, it is not a guarantee and it will not stop a fire. There is also the issue of pollutants from the tip running off into the River Rhymney. The present weather pattern is showing more rain, while the Fire Service is telling us that there are more fires on open common ground to which abandoned coal tips form part of that landscape.

To quarry for coal on Bedwas coal tips will we be making the problem worse by churning up the landscape, tempting fate with the possibility of an accident waiting to happen, heavens forbid. There needs to be guarantees that the area is returned safely and with the tips removed.

The question is do we do nothing, and allow our friends, and families, to remain at risk, and that risk be handed down to our children and grandchildren, or do we do something now and remove the present danger?

It's crucial that any actions proposed during the coal extraction and tip removal works have actions in place to mitigate the negative effects on local communities and surrounding areas, such as the country parks.

​While I see the potential for positive outcomes, the most important one being the removal of the unsafe tips, I want to emphasize the importance of ensuring that communities such as Bedwas are not negatively impacted. We must hold those responsible for this project accountable and ensure that all proposed mitigation measures are fully and effectively implemented to protect local residents and the surrounding environment.

​I believe it's important to find a balance between addressing the long standing issues of these sites and ensuring that any development works benefit, rather than harm, the local area.

"Bedwas Tips: Safety First, but Concerns Remain. The coal tips above Bedwas are classed as high-risk under Welsh Government assessments, with dangers including landslip, fire and water pollution, risks which made worse by climate change. Maintaining and ensuring safety of the tips currently costs CCBC a significant amount of money – money which could be spent on keeping Libraries open and properly funding our schools.

ERI Ltd has proposed a major remediation project: removing spoil and coal, re-profiling the tips, and restoring the land to grassland and moorland. The scheme could last up to ten years and would be funded by selling extracted coal.

Local people rightly want the tips made safe. But the Liberal Democrats believe three key concerns must be addressed before this scheme proceeds.

1. Coal use and climate change - Coal is one of the worst sources of greenhouse gas emissions – the resulting climate change will make the risks posed by the tips worse. We recognise that while we are transitioning to a net zero economy there are still processes which require the use of coal which is currently imported from overseas.

Coal extracted from Bedwas must only be used where it would displace coal which would otherwise be imported, it should only be used in UK industries that have no current coal-free alternative.

This cannot be controlled through the planning application, only through the contractual agreement between ERI and CCBC. We have questioned ERI and they have confirmed that their current proposal would not restrict how the coal would be used, and therefore that it could be exported or used in power generation – uses which we cannot support.

2. Access route through the country park - ERI currently proposes to move lorries through Sirhowy Valley Country Park, past the Covid memorial park, and out to the A467. This raises clear risks of disruption to walkers, cyclists and families who rely on the park. Despite our questions during engagement events with ERI we’re not confident that existing use and access will be maintained, especially as much of the use of the Country Park takes place on routes which are not designated rights of way.

Before the scheme goes ahead, and before planning is granted:

• The “northern route” should be fully explored as a potentially lower-impact alternative.
• A residents’ and users’ forum (citizens’ assembly) should be set up to scrutinise options and recommend the best route. This should include residents, users of the park, council planning and highways officers and representatives of ERI.
• Guarantees should be put in place which ensure that access to all areas of the country park are maintained, and that such access is made safe.

3. What happens if the scheme fails mid-way? - If ERI encountered financial or logistical problems, local people could be left with half-dug tips and long-term risks. Safeguards must be built in: bonds, insurance, contingency plans and clear contractual obligations so the project can always be finished safely.

The role of Caerphilly Council - The tips are owned by Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC). That means the council is central to ensuring safeguards on finance, coal use and environmental restoration.

We note that CCBC recently issued a statement “setting the record straight”, implying there is no existing relationship between the council and ERI. We think it’ highly unusual for a private company to propose such a major scheme on council-owned land without detailed discussions. Residents deserve more transparency about what has — or has not — been agreed.

It is only CCBC who can control how any coal extracted from the tips can be used and ensure that any remediation project is well managed to completion – the statement that they issued gives us no confidence in their willingness or ability to control these matters.

The Lib Dems call on

• CCBC: To publish the full details of any communications with ERI and commit to legally enforceable contracts before work begins. This should include the necessary financial guarantees, as well as legally binding restrictions on the use of any extracted coal.
• ERI Ltd: To work with local people to explore all route options, including the northern route, and establish a citizens’ forum to scrutinise impacts and to manage use of routes throughout the time of the scheme.
• Welsh Government / NRW: To provide rigorous oversight of safety, contracts and environmental standards and to consider legislation to control the use of any coal extracted during remediation projects.
• UK Government: To fund coal tip remediation properly, so communities are not left reliant on commercial schemes like this.

Our position - We recognise the importance of making the Bedwas tips safe. But this cannot come at the cost of the climate, country park users or local residents. With transparency, strong safeguards and genuine community involvement, the project could deliver safety and restoration. Until such safeguards are in place we cannot and do not support the project.

The Liberal Democrats will keep pressing for a balanced, fair approach that puts people and the environment first.”

"We are in a climate and nature emergency and the response must be swift and serious, so we can pass on a Wales we are proud of to future generations. That means a managed end to the extraction and use of coal. As I understand it, a planning application for the proposed scheme has not yet been submitted to Caerphilly Council.

If a planning application is put forward, I would be open to meeting with Energy Recovery Investments Ltd and with campaigners to hear their points of view.

However, any proposal for the extraction of coal from disused tips falls under Welsh Government's Coal Policy Statement, which dictates that coal licences may be needed in wholly exceptional circumstances, and each application will be decided on its own merits, but the presumption will always be against coal extraction.

I support the Welsh Labour position to issue no new licences to explore new coal fields because they will not take a penny off bills, cannot make us energy secure, and will only accelerate the worsening climate crisis.

The climate and nature crisis is the biggest long-term challenge of our time. But the clean energy transition is our chance to grow the economy, cut bills, and make Britain energy independent again. Like my Labour colleagues, I’m committed to the mission to deliver clean energy by 2030."

“All coal tips must be made safe, but the extraction of coal from them should never happen. Fossil fuels must remain in the past – especially when our planet is in such a perilous state.”

Reform were asked to respond to the same questions as all other candidates, but did not provide any response.

UKIP were asked to respond to the same questions as all other candidates, but did not provide any response.