About The Mine Entry Inspection Programme
- Who is responsible for the mine entry inspection programme?
- Who is the Coal Authority?
- Which government department sponsors the Coal Authority?
- How long has the mine entry inspection programme been going on?
- The number of inspections to date equates to approximately 8,000 per year. Why is there such an increase in the rate of inspections in 2010?
- Why are you doing this now? Is there a new danger?
- How will the mine entry inspection programme work?
- Are the public in any immediate danger?
- What problems can mine shafts cause?
- Will you be making all the mine shafts safe?
- Do you have records of all the mine shafts in Britain?
- What other organisations are involved?
- What should people do if they think they need an inspection?
- Who will pay for the inspections?
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Who is responsible for the mine entry inspection programme?
The Coal Authority is responsible for the inspection programme.
- Who is the Coal Authority?
The Coal Authority is a government organisation which works to protect the public and the environment in coal mining areas. We offer support in managing the effects of past coal mining in order to promote public safety and safeguard the landscape – now and for future generations:
- We manage our property in a responsible manner and deal with any emergencies arising from old coal mine workings;
- We help to clean up water from coal mines; and
- We give people advice and information about past coal mining.
Visit www.coal.gov.uk for more information about the Coal Authority.
- Which government department sponsors the Coal Authority?
The Coal Authority is sponsored by the Department for Energy and Climate Change. It is a Non-Departmental Public Body, which was established by Parliament under the Coal Industry Act 1994.
- How long has the mine entry inspection programme been going on?
Our current inspection programme began in 2007 and we have inspected 23,000 mine shafts since then. In 2010 we plan to inspect over 30,000 mines shafts in built-up areas.
- The number of inspections to date equates to approximately 8,000 per year. Why is there such an increase in the rate of inspections in 2010?
The main reasons for the increase in the inspection rate this year are firstly that the shaft locations are easier to inspect due to their location. Secondly, as they are located in urban areas this programme of work will help to raise awareness of mine shafts with the public.
- Why are you doing this now? Is there a new danger?
There is no new danger. There has been coal mining in Britain since Roman times and problems with mine shafts are very rare. We want to ensure that our records are as accurate and up to date as possible and to identify whether we need to carry out any work (this work will be at our expense). We have therefore taken the decision that the best way to do this is to extend our inspection programme. If we identify any issues, we will act quickly to put them right.
- How will the mine entry inspection programme work?
The Coal Authority’s team of specialist inspectors will visit over 30,000 mine shafts in built-up areas during 2010. We will visually inspect the recorded location of each mine shaft, identify any signs of its presence and identify any issues. If there are issues associated with the mine shaft or there is evidence of coal mining subsidence, we will act quickly to put it right. If we don’t identify any problems, we will send a copy of our findings and a map showing the recorded position of the mine shaft on the property.
- Are the public in any immediate danger?
There is no new danger. Very occasionally old mine shafts can cause problems and you should never explore a mine shaft yourself.
If a mine shaft looks dangerous, has caused damage or allows access to the mine, please call our emergency line, t: 01623 646 333.
- What problems can mine shafts cause?
Problems with mine shafts are very rare but they can cause cases of coal mining subsidence. Our inspections are intended to make sure that mine shafts are not open; we expect less than 1 in 200 of the mine shafts we visit have any issues. Disturbing old mines can be dangerous, so never explore a mine shaft yourself.
- Will you be making all the mine shafts safe?
Many mine shafts were treated or filled when the mines closed and local residents may not even know there were once coal mines in their area. We will be visiting all recorded mine shafts over the next few years to check on their condition. If we find any issues, we will act quickly to promote public safety and safeguard the environment.
- Do you have records of all the mine shafts in Britain?
No. We have records of over 170,000 mine shafts. We can’t be certain we know exactly where every single shaft is since there has been coal mining since Roman times. However, we maintain the National Coal Mining Database, including maps going back to 1750.
- What other organisations are involved?
We work with 180 local authorities in coal mining areas as well as other public and private sector organisations. These include Members of Parliament; the Scottish Government; the Welsh Assembly; the Department for Energy and Climate Change; Network Rail; The Highways Agency; Law Society; Council of Mortgage Lenders; the Police and many local businesses.
- What should people do if they think they need an inspection?
If we have records of a mine shaft on your property, you will get a letter inviting you to book an appointment as part of the inspection programme. If you are worried that a mine shaft looks dangerous or there has been a change in its condition, call our 24-hour emergency line, t: 01623 646 333.
- Who will pay for the inspections?
The inspections are paid for by the Coal Authority
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