Stone Mines Project Publicity Day
Last Friday the Stone Mines project Team hosted an “open day” for about 100 interested people from industry, who had expressed an interest in this unique project. In the morning the history of the project was outlined and in the afternoon 10 groups of people were conducted around the mines to look at progress.David Keaton, from the funder English Partnerships (EP), who has been connected with the project since the mid 1990s, outlined how the project had evolved. He said that the abortive project in the 1990s failed EP’s economic tests and it was not until MPs from Bath and Vale Royal (another difficult project involving salt mines) lobbied Government, that the Land Stabilisation Programme was set up in 1999, to deal with non-coal mine workings.
It was acknowledged by all that one of the main reasons for the success of the project was the resilience, patience and co-operation of local people. The setting up by the Council of the Combe Down Stone Mines Community Association, bringing together the two main protagonist groups of the 1990s in a climate of compromise and co-operation, is also a reason for the success of the project. The Community Association, ably chaired first of all by Geoff Hammond, a professor at Bath University and latterly by David Dunkerley, has made sure that the Project Team are challenged when necessary and that liaison with the community has been at the heart of the project.
The removal of the waste material, PFA, early on in the project was a big factor in getting agreement from local people. Substituting foamed concrete, not only, reduced the danger of pollution and houses in Combe Down sitting over waste material, but it also reduced the number of lorries trundling through Combe Down.
The employees of the firms involved in the project, particularly those of Hydrock and Scott Wilson have become familiar faces around the village and without exception they are helpful and friendly to local residents.
The Mines have changed since I last ventured down. There is little to be seen of the old pillars and tunnels, there are new impressive 10 metre high chambers for the bats, soon to be shot-creted (lined with concrete). Even the extensive walkways, constructed to get at the mines are in the process of being filled with foamed concrete.
What of the future? Completion of the stabilisation scheme next year, an Interpretation Centre in Ralph Allen’s Yard to open in 2012 and a public art scheme to commemorate the project, the restoration of Firs Field, Combe Road to re-open today, more road closures during the summer and the buses to return to the village after the closures are finished.
The Combe Down community can then move on with confidence and in the knowledge that problems caused by the old Stone Mines have been solved. Yet we will have the legacy of an Interpretation Centre, with an underground experience, to remember the local men who worked in the mines all those years ago and the men and women who more recently have worked and are still working with skill and dedication to make our homes safe.
What is your experience of the project? How do you feel about the mines? Have you any questions or comments? Please use the ‘comments’ or email facility on this web site to let us know.
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