David Chadwick raised concerns over the safety of coal tips across Wales in parliament yesterday.

The Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP said in the Commons that people living in former mining communities across South Wales deserve greater reassurance on what the Government will do about coal tips.

The intervention follows a landslip in Cwmtillery, Blaenau Gwent caused by a collapsing coal tip during last weekend's weather.

He asked Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, what the Government will do to make these tips safe, particularly in relation to the live monitoring of any movement and early warning systems.

Mr Reed said there is a programme to improve the maintenance of coal tips which is underway through the Welsh Government.

He told Mr Chadwick: “This is the first Government to allocate funding to tackle that risk and its very serious implications for people and communities living in affected areas.”

Commenting after the statement, Mr Chadwick said: "While the £25 million announced in the Government's budget is welcome, it falls very short of the £600 million needed to make all sites safe.

"Many in former mining communities, including in my constituency will be extremely frightened by the events in Cwmtillery.

"We were extremely lucky no one was hurt, we need to see real action to make all tips safe as quickly as possible, residents cannot continue to live in fear every time we have heavy rainfall."