DWYFOR Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts says the UK Government’s refusal to provide funding to keep Welsh coal tips safe is not consistent with their pledges to communities at risk of climate change.

She reminded the House of Commons today, Wednesday, 17 November, during Wales Questions, that COP26 president, Alok Sharma, had said it was “vital” that at risk communities were helped to adapt to the impact of climate change. Rainfall is expected to increase by around six per cent over the next 30 years in Wales, which will make the coal tips more dangerous.

There are 2,456 coal tips in Wales, with 327 classified as high risk.

While coal tip safety is devolved to Wales, the problems have existed since before devolution.

Ms Saville Roberts said that the tips are “spectres of our industrial past” and urged the secretary of state to commit to resolving the problem.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mrs Saville Roberts said: “Wales’ dangerous coal tips loom over our industrial communities like spectres of our industrial past.

"They remind us how our natural resources were exploited, mostly for the benefit of others.

“Climate change is set to compound the risk they pose, and we expect rainfall to increase by around six per cent over the next 30 years.

“The COP26 President said this month that it is ’vital’ that we ’help at risk communities adapt to the impact of climate change’.

"How is his refusal to settle this £600m problem consistent with this statement?”

Minister David TC Davies said it was an issue devolved to the Welsh Government.

Ms Saville Roberts added that the coal tips are an example of the “scars of the scorched earth policy inflicted by Prime Minister Thatcher” and said that the green transition must be different.

She urged ministers to support her Bill to devolve the Crown Estate to Wales so that “profits made in Wales are invested in Wales”.

She added: “The honourable gentleman well knows that this is an inherited issue.

"Our industrial communities still bear the scars of the scorched earth policy inflicted by Prime Minister Thatcher.

"The green transition must be different.

“The Crown Estate revealed that they’re planning to build new wind farms off the coast of Wales.

"Those profits will disappear into Treasury coffers, rather than going to the people and businesses of Wales.

“Will he support my Bill and ensure that all Crown Estate profits made in Wales are invested in Wales instead?”

David TC Davies said he would “look with interest” at Mrs Saville Roberts’ Bill.