The deputy first minister of Wales has said the “blame game of the past” on coal tips is not “helpful”.
Huw Irranca-Davies was visiting residents in Cwmtillery, Blaenau Gwent, on Thursday after the partial collapse of a coal waste tip in November during Storm Bert forced dozens to leave their homes.
His visit comes days after Sky News spoke with affected residents, who said more needed to be done to ensure their safety.
A coal tip is made up of waste material from coal mining, many of which have existed for several decades.
The deputy FM, who is also the environment secretary, said it was “essential” to speak with residents directly.
“I don’t think it’s helpful to get into the game of looking into the past and say who should have told who that there was a coal tip there,” he told Sky News.
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Mr Irranca-Davies said he was “trying very hard here to avoid the blame game of the past” and accepted the Welsh government had some responsibility.
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“We have responsibility as Welsh government to do two things,” he said.
“One is to make sure that we’ve got the quantum of funding to make coal tips safe, not just in Cwmtillery, but right across Wales.
“But secondly to put in place the right statutory framework, so to bring forward the legislation which we’re doing now at pace.”
The Welsh government has outlined proposals for a Disused Tips Authority for Wales, which would take on responsibility for coal tip safety in the future.
He also welcomed the £25m announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last autumn’s budget to help ensure coal tips are safe.
“We see that as a very welcome, but first, instalment, in a partnership of making good and safe these coal tips,” he said.
“We need to keep this going across not just this Senedd, but for five, 10 years, decades ahead and keep on making these tips safe.”
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A spokesperson for Blaenau Gwent Council said it carried out “immediate work” to rectify the slip.
“We continue to monitor the site closely which includes twice daily visits during periods of heavy rainfall,” they added.
