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.