SENEDD Members unanimously passed a “first-of-its-kind” law aimed at ensuring the safety of coal and quarry tips.

Huw Irranca-Davies welcomed cross-party support for the disused tips bill which was introduced in the wake of a major landslide in Tylorstown, Rhondda, in 2020.

The Labour Deputy First Minister said: “We are keenly conscious of the worry and the anxiety that so many families living in the shadow of disused tips feel, right across Wales.”

The bill updates the “not fit for purpose” Mines and Quarries Act 1969 and establishes the Disused Tips Authority for Wales, charged with ensuring tips do not threaten human welfare.

Vowing never to forget the Aberfan tragedy, Mr Irranca-Davies said “Climate change, with ever-increasing and erratic levels of rainfall, poses increasing challenges for the management of disused tips.

“And for thousands of people in all our communities across Wales… these tips are an ever-present reminder of what can go tragically wrong.”

The bill includes arrangements for the assessment, registration and monitoring of tips as well as powers for the Disused Tip Authority to enter land and require information.

Mr Irranca-Davies described the bill as progressive and the first of its kind in the UK, saying: “As a nation that was in the vanguard of the coal industry, it’s entirely appropriate that we lead the way with the legislation to ensure the future of disused tips and quarries.”

Janet Finch-Saunders, the Conservatives’ shadow environment secretary, backed the bill during a debate on July 15 before Senedd Members voted 50-0 in favour.

She said: “At the heart of this legislation is the memory of those 116 children and 28 adults who were killed when a coal waste tip came crashing down onto a school and surrounding homes on 21 October 1966, and we’ve seen other tip slides since.

“Never again do we want to see such a tragedy in our country.”

But Ms Finch-Saunders raised concerns about the estimated £600m cost of remediation, with 2,500 coal tips and 20,000 non-coal tips in Wales.

Delyth Jewell told the Senedd: “Communities were told to make peace with the desolation left as successive governments shied away from tending to the open wounds of the abandoned mines – allowing them to fester so visibly, painful reminders of exploitation.

“This has not just imposed a terrible environmental toll, the unexorcised spectre of the coal mining industry has weighed heavily on the collective consciousness of these communities.”

Plaid Cymru’s shadow climate secretary broadly supported the bill but bemoaned a lack of ambition in regulating the use of coal in the remediation of mines.

Pointing the finger at the UK Government, Ms Jewell said: “I also believe far more pressure needs to be brought to bear on those who contributed to the state of these tips to make them fully and permanently accountable for the cost of restoration.

“Nevertheless, the bill does represent an important milestone in confronting the legacy of coal mining in our nation and it should be acknowledged as such.

“It will finally start to lift a dark shroud that has loomed far too long over our valleys and from the desolation of those scarred landscapes to breathe new life at last.”

PEMBROKESHIRE proposals for a £40m-plus road realignment scheme at flood-hit Newgale, and a far cheaper alternative scheme, are to come under the spotlight at full council next week.

Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020.

In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron following the storms.

A public consultation – through agent AtkinsRéalis – was launched earlier this year ahead of a formal Pembrokeshire County Council application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, which would see the development of a new inland section of road with bridge over Brandy Brook some 2.3km inland, to replace the coastal section of A487 at Newgale that will be closed and removed, among other works.

Varied claims have been made about the cost of this scheme, from £20m upwards, some even saying it could cost as much as £60m, with millions spent on consultation fees to date.

An alternative scheme has been proposed by STUN – Stand Up for Newgale, who have previously said the public has been misled over the need for the new Newgale bypass.

STUN’s far cheaper alternative proposes a section of the shingle bank at Newgale be realigned 10-12 metres seaward leaving an over-wash barrier between it and the A487 to capture any pebbles and sea water.

In a question, on behalf of Solva Community Council, to be heard at the July 17 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, community council chair Gareth Chapman will ask: “The topic of the road diversion at Newgale has been in the news quite a lot recently and it has become apparent that there has been an alternative scheme proposed by the Newgale Community group STUN.

“This proposal has been demonstrated to Solva Community Council and appears to be an under £1m proposal with up to 85 years lifespan compared to the conservative £40m-plus estimate for the PCC proposal.”

The question says “hardly anyone wants this major change in Newgale,” adding: “PCC’s proposal is to counter for road closures that rarely happen and, even then, require little expense to restore the pebble bank. It should also be remembered that on several occasions, flooding at Newgale occurs because the river outlet is blocked preventing water from the valley escaping and not as a result of a high tide or storm.

“It is acknowledged that climate change and coastal issues at Newgale may eventually in many years force a change in the highway arrangements at Newgale but it is felt that all efforts should be made to retain the character of the village and iconic views for as long as possible.

“Given the huge amount of public money that is proposed to be spent, and could well be better spent on other more pressing issues, would Pembrokeshire County Council commit to thoroughly examining the alternative proposal as WelTAG [Welsh Government Transport Appraisal Guidance] suggests they should, and also fully take on board the overwhelming public opinion regarding the future of Newgale?

“Secondly if Pembrokeshire County Council have already given this alternative scheme full consideration, will they also commit to providing their written comments on the alternative scheme to Solva Community Council within 14 days of this meeting?”

The question will be responded to at the meeting.

A NEW environmental arts and music festival brought colour, conversation and community spirit to Scolton Manor Country Park last weekend.

Creative Climate Fest, held on Saturday and Sunday (July 5–6), was a collaboration between Pembrokeshire County Council and local artist Lawrence Mathias. The event blended culture, creativity and climate awareness, with a programme that featured live music, visual art, and activities focused on sustainability.

Attendees included council representatives Mark Thomas, Maureen Bowen and James Silbers, who joined visitors in exploring the exhibitions and performances spread across the Maenordy Scolton estate.

The festival aimed to highlight the urgent challenges of climate change while showcasing positive, community-led solutions. From recycled art installations to discussions on environmental action, the event encouraged both reflection and participation.

Thomas Tudor, who attended the weekend’s activities, said: “It was lovely to attend the Creative Climate Fest at Scolton Manor. What a wonderful event of culture, music and art all joined together in one place. Definitely a great success and I’m looking forward to the next one.”

Creative Climate Fest is expected to return in 2026 following positive feedback from the community and organisers.