Wrexham Council has been awarded over £1.3 million from the Welsh Government Coal Tip Safety Grant to deliver safety improvement works on disused coal tips in the county borough over the next three years.
Wrexham has a proud mining heritage, which in the past has provided thousands of jobs in the local community.
However, even though the last mine closed in 1986, the county borough has been left with a long-lasting legacy in the form of large quantities of mining spoil.
Disused coal tips present a major challenge for the council, and the funding will provide additional resources to facilitate further assessment and deliver safety maintenance works on disused coal tips.
The range of works includes drainage improvements, slope stability assessments and associated remedial works.
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “The remedial work involved is a significant and long-term burden on council resources, so it’s a major benefit to have received this additional funding.
“I have campaigned over many years for funding in order to progress with works related to the Bersham Colliery Bank and Gresford Wilderness Tip. So I would like to thank the Welsh Government for awarding the authority over £1.3 million that will go towards facilitating the works needed on those sites and on category C sites elsewhere.”
Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Planning and Public Protection, said: “The threat to public safety and the environment posed by large coal tips should not be underestimated.
“This much needed funding from Welsh Government is very welcome and will help tackle the long-term challenges that come with our industrial past.”
