The Welsh Senedd has unanimously backed a campaign to address the issue of toxic waste sites, with all parties urging both Welsh and UK ministers to ensure polluters are held responsible for cleanup costs. The motion, passed without objection, comes after a campaign highlighted concerns regarding potentially contaminated land across Wales.
A Freedom of Information inquiry by environmental group Friends of the Earth revealed that there could be over 45,000 potentially contaminated land sites in Wales, with only 82 officially designated as contaminated. Reform MS Andrew Griffin stated that communities living near these potentially unsafe sites "deserve answers" and a system capable of establishing facts and taking action.
Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates referenced a pledge of over £240 million from the previous Welsh government and Westminster Labour ministers for coal tip remediation, emphasizing the need for coordinated action across all levels of government. "Councils, citizens and communities cannot afford the cost of remediation, nor can they afford to wait any longer for action," Skates said, calling on Plaid Cymru ministers to "stand up for the people of Wales by taking urgent action where it can now."
Conservative Janet Finch-Saunders proposed that local communities should be able to understand the location of these sites, the identified risks, and the actions being taken. She suggested that regular inspections and up-to-date public registers would be beneficial, stressing the importance of prevention, enforcement, and accountability.
Rural Resilience and Sustainability Minister Llyr Gruffydd pledged the Welsh government's commitment to developing a nationwide strategy for the restoration of post-industrial land and protecting communities from associated risks. He stated his intention to ensure former industrial land is made safe, public health is protected, and environmental justice is delivered to affected communities.