Llanbradach Coal Spoil

The Llanbradach Coal Spoils were built between 1890 to 1961and dominate the mountain landscape over Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach and Caerphilly in that it can be seen for miles.  The blip picture shows the main coal spoil with the Brecon Beacons National Park in the distance.

The coal spoils are from Llanbradach Colliery which in 1913 was one of the largest pits in South Wales employing 2,832 men. Part of the colliery working are still above Llanbradach village which is to the right of the blip picture and out of view. Coal spoil tips are an industrial and cultural legacy from the South Wales coal industry over a period of 150 years.

Llanbradach coal spoil is seen as a naturally revegetated colliery spoil which is important for wildlife and plants. It is noted its heaps are colonised by fescues, bents and heather. Priority habitats such as acid grassland and heathland, and some areas of scrub and gorse, have gradually colonised the coal spoil of the valleys.

Some of the younger coal spoils of the South Wales Valleys may have some landscaping undertaken with the help of European funding but it is likely most of the spoils, like Llanbradach, will be left to nature. They have become part of the history of the landscape.