Welsh Village Calls Craig Yr Hesg Quarry a 'Slow Aberfan Disaster'
When Julie James, then Wales' climate‑change minister, approved the expansion of Craig Yr Hesg quarry in 2022, residents of Glyncoch, a village on the edge of Pontypridd in Wales, began to describe their daily life as a "slow Aberfan disaster".
The phrase, coined in community meetings and viral videos, captures a perfect storm of jolting blasts, choking dust and far‑more frequent flooding. The quarry now sits a mere 109 metres from the nearest homes – well below the 200‑metre buffer that planning guidance recommends – and the impact is being felt in cracked walls, water‑logged gardens and worried parents shielding children from each scheduled explosion.
Background of the Quarry Expansion
Craig Yr Hesg, owned by a regional aggregates firm (the company name was not disclosed in public filings), applied for an expansion that would double its working footprint. The initial proposals were turned down twice by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council on health‑and‑safety grounds. Undeterred, the operator appealed, and the case landed on the desk of Julie James, who granted permission in March 2022 after a pressure‑group campaign and a series of environmental impact assessments that many locals now claim were superficial.
Regulation stipulates a 200‑metre "buffer zone" between active quarry faces and residential properties, measured from the nearest point of the excavation to a dwelling. By cutting that distance to 109 metres, the approval set a precedent that alarmed neighboring councils and sparked a petition that would later reach the Senedd.
Residents' Experiences and Health Impacts
Living next to the quarry feels like an ongoing drill‑practice for a warzone. Jayne Davies, a lifelong resident who lives along the River Taff, recounts how the constant vibration has left permanent cracks in her kitchen walls and how dust settles on every surface, making it feel "like we are choking".
Video footage recorded on 4 June 2025 shows children covering their ears as a plume of dust rises from a scheduled blast. The blasts, which occur up to twice a week, generate peak particle velocities that the operator insists are within legal limits, yet the subjective experience – shaking dishes, rattling windows, a deep‑seated anxiety – tells another story.
Health surveys conducted by a local university in early 2025 found a 27 % increase in reported respiratory symptoms among adults living within 150 metres of the quarry, compared with the county average. Meanwhile, the frequency of flooding has jumped dramatically. Davies notes “we had one flood in the past 40 years, then two in the last five” and links this surge to the removal of vegetation and the altered water‑runoff patterns caused by the quarry’s expansion.
Political Response and the Petition for a 1,000‑Metre Buffer
The issue reached the Welsh Parliament on 4 June 2025 during a debate on Petition P‑06‑1476Senedd. The petition, backed by dozens of Glyncoch families, called for a mandatory 1,000‑metre buffer between active quarries and any residential dwellings.
One Member of the Senedd, who asked to remain unnamed, said they had "visited several quarries, including Craig‑yr‑Hesg, and met with both management and residents". While the motion to "note the petition" was passed without objection, no immediate legislative change was promised, leaving the community to continue its fight on the ground.
Critics argue that the council’s decision‑making process was skewed by financial incentives. Davies accuses RCTCBC of "prioritising monetary gain over residents' wellbeing" and suggests that monitoring data provided by the quarry may be compromised.
Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns
The quarry’s heavy‑truck traffic – 60‑tonne lorries navigating a narrow B‑road each day – has raised safety alarms. Pedestrians report near‑misses, and the road’s surface shows early signs of wear that could lead to more serious accidents.
Beyond the immediate health effects, the removal of the mountain’s vegetative cover has increased runoff, exacerbating flood risk not only for Glyncoch but also downstream communities along the River Taff. Local environmental groups, including the Coal Action Network, point to recent tip‑slip incidents (none with fatalities) as warning signs that the landscape is destabilising.
Air‑quality monitors installed by the council in late 2024 recorded PM10 levels consistently above the WHO safe threshold during blasting periods. Residents claim that the quarry’s own monitoring stations report lower figures, fuelling distrust.
Looking Ahead: Calls for Reform
Community activism remains fierce. A new grassroots coalition, "Glyncoch Clean Air", has organised weekly protests and is gathering signatures for a second petition that would demand an independent review of the quarry’s impact assessment.
Experts suggest that a more precautionary approach – such as reinstating the 200‑metre buffer, mandating real‑time dust monitoring, and reducing blast frequency – could mitigate the worst effects. Dr. Eirian Morgan, an environmental health lecturer at the University of South Wales, notes, "When you combine frequent vibration with particulate exposure, you’re looking at a chronic stressor that can have long‑term cardiovascular and respiratory consequences."
Meanwhile, the Welsh Government has promised to scrutinise the petition’s recommendations during its upcoming environmental strategy review. Whether that will translate into tighter regulations remains to be seen, but for the residents of Glyncoch, the issue is personal – it’s about keeping their homes safe, their children healthy, and their community spirit intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the "slow Aberfan disaster" reference?
The phrase likens the ongoing health and environmental damage in Glyncoch to the 1966 Aberfan tragedy, where a coal tip collapse killed 144 people. Here, "slow" underscores that the harm is gradual – chronic dust exposure, repeated blasting, and rising floods – rather than a single catastrophic event.
Why was the quarry expansion allowed despite council objections?
After two refusals by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, the operator appealed. The case was reviewed by the Welsh Government, and Julie James, as climate‑change minister, granted permission, citing the economic benefits and the results of an impact assessment that many locals now dispute.
How are local residents coping with the dust and noise?
Many have installed air‑purifiers and reinforced windows, while families schedule activities around known blast times. Community groups like "Glyncoch Clean Air" organise protests and collect health data to pressure officials for stricter controls.
What would a 1,000‑metre buffer achieve?
A larger buffer would push quarry faces far enough away to reduce vibration intensity, lower dust concentrations reaching homes, and give the landscape space to recover vegetation, which in turn would lessen flood runoff and improve overall air quality.
Are there any legal avenues for residents to challenge the quarry?
Residents can pursue judicial review of the planning decision, especially if they can demonstrate procedural irregularities or insufficient environmental assessment. The petition noted in the Senedd adds political weight but does not itself change the law.
About Author
Hi, I'm Kieran Lockwood, a sports enthusiast with a particular passion for soccer. I love sharing my insights and opinions on the latest matches, players, and tactics. In addition to my love for the game, I also enjoy writing about TV shows, analyzing their plots and characters. My ultimate goal is to combine my two passions and become a renowned sports and entertainment writer, offering fresh perspectives on the world of soccer and television.
