HC Deb 10 November 1999 vol 337 cc610-1W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations in north Staffordshire where he is monitoring contamination of surface waters by discharges of mine water; and if he will list those which(a) have and (b) do not have discharge consents. [97799]

Mr. Mullin

The Environment Agency monitors the following sites:

  • Berry Hill Trentmill Road downstream at NGR SJ89264668
  • Berry Hill Austin Street upstream at NGR SJ89004645
  • Berry Hill Govan Road—pool at rear NGR SJ89654570
  • Berry Hill Adderley Green Brook rear of Arbourfield Drive at NGR SJ90554650
  • Berry Hill Adderley Green Brook confluence with Causley Brook at NGR SJ90304690
  • Berry Hill Adderley Green Brook at Mossfield at NGR SJ917045025
  • Sideway Farm—Chitlings Brook at NGR SJ88204268
  • Bucknall—Malthouse Road at NGR SJ90654715
  • Ash Bank—Causley Brook at NGR SJ92654725
  • Tunstall Park at NGR SJ86655190
  • Chatterley—Whitfield—Ford Green Brook at NGR SJ88055360
  • Chell Heath Road—Ford Green Brook at NGR SJ88305073
  • Silverdale Colliery—Silverbrook at NGR SJ82124667
  • Apedale Road—Lyme Brook at NGR SJ82554895
  • Cophurst Quarry—Lightwood at NGR SJ92404100
  • Cockster Brook adjacent to A50 trunk road NGR SJ89904370
  • Norton Green—Caldon Canal north of the Engine Lock at NGR SJ90205160
  • Norton Green—Caldon Canal south of the Engine Lock at NGR SJ90005140
  • Harecastle Tunnel—Trent and Mersey Canal.

Apart from the Harecastle Tunnel and Norton Green discharges, these emissions are intermittent, minor, or recent, and there is no proven relationship with any specific colliery. Monitoring has been instigated to assess the impact on receiving waters, and the only consented discharge to date is from Silverdale Colliery.

The Environment Agency continues to work closely with the Coal Authority to identify relevant sites.