Lead by residents near to Dipton and Leadgate, County Durham, Campaign to Protect Pont Valley was formed in response to Banks Group's 2018 acquisition of mining rights won by the liquidated UK Coal. The community had fought over 30 years to stop UK Coal, and in 2019 teamed up with national and international activists to bring a vibrant and inspiring campaign which mixed direct action with political lobbying and legal challenges.
Email: protectpontvalley@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/protectpontvalley
While the 500,000 tonne Bradley coal extraction site went ahead as planned in 2018, the campaign went on to prevent the extension of the mine, 'West Bradley' in June 2020. The company is not appealling the decision, so the campaign has successfully stopped the spread of opencast coal from Bradley in the Pont Valley.
The local campaign is still active in making sure the company meets it's obligations under the 12 month 'restoration' phase, to ensure the best possible reparation for the damage done to the valley.
The Bradley campaign raised the profile of campaigns against opencast coal mining in the UK, and supported and inspired the still active campaign in Newcastle, Defend Dewley Hill.
We’re actively setting the record straight when fake news about coal is spread through public figures, social media, or the press. The rise of populist politics and politicians tend to drive statements that are don’t entirely match the evidence, but may win them some votes…
Explore the landscape via the images below, drag around the viewpoints and go full-screen for the immersive experience. This is what the 58,000 residents of Merthyr Tydfil face every day…and with a new plan by mining company, Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd, to evade its responsibility to restore…
This information seeks to clarify which tips are included in ERI Ltd’s proposal to mine and then flatten certain coal tips in Caerphilly. The tips selected appear to be on the basis of which would be most profitable to mine of the ‘waste coal’ they contain…
The Welsh Government’s Deputy First Minister, in his response to the CCEIC’s Stage 1 Report, admits the “Bill does not prevent the extraction or burning of coal” but adds “I cannot envisage a scenario in which the extraction and burning of coal will arise as a result of the Bill”…
The direct use of coal as a feedstock (not just energy) is particularly significant in China, where coal is used extensively in coal to gasification plants to produce chemicals such as methanol, ammonia, and…
This nature was photographed around 50 metres from the edge of the Glan Lash opencast coal mine in Ammanford, South Wales. It shows the thriving ecosystems surrounding the Glan Lash opencast coal mine which has remained dormant since 2019…
In February, CAN gave oral testimony to the Climate Change, Energy, and Infrastructure Committee (CCEIC) on the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill…
Coal Action Network was invited to attend Westminster where we gave evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee in their inquiry about the environmental and economic legacy of Wales’ industrial past, alongside Friends of the Earth Cymru. This inquiry was opened in…
16 years of opencast coal mining in Ffos-y-fran has generated colossal overburden mounds, also known as slag heaps or coal tips. There are three coal tips, with the third being the largest, and cumulatively accounting for 37 million cubic metres of colliery spoil, rocks, and soil…
with love and rage! We in Greener Berwick are showing the film Finite in Berwick Friday 8 December