Residents fear for safety as coal tip collapse causes flooding in Welsh village

In late November 2024, a coal tip collapse in Cwmtillery, a former coal mining village in south Wales, caused significant flooding in the area. Ralph Connor and Tina Honeyfield experienced terrifying conditions when thick slurry covered their home due to the landslide triggered by torrential rainfall. They, along with other residents, were evacuated to a hotel while awaiting a resolution. This incident has reignited public concern regarding the safety of living near such tips, especially amid the memories of the Aberfan disaster in 1966, where similar circumstances resulted in tragic fatalities. Residents voiced anger about the neglect of safety and flood defenses, expressing feelings of betrayal by the authorities responsible for their infrastructure. Local political sentiments have also been influenced, with some community members shifting their support towards Reform UK, which has positioned itself as a party holding the government accountable for inadequate flood defenses. The flooding in Pontypridd, which occurred just miles away, exemplifies the broader issue of recurrent and worsening flooding events in the region. Claims of climate change influencing these disasters have been raised, but some political figures push back against this narrative, arguing that government negligence is the primary cause. During the incident, residents expressed their frustrations over failed applications for flood gates and the lack of preemptive measures, further underscoring a sense of helplessness and neglect by the local government. The situation has prompted urgent calls for improved infrastructure and funding to manage and mitigate the risks associated with coal tips, where past resources extraction has left lasting dangers in villages across Wales.