Coombe Down Stone Mines.

26/04/2006 [43]

One of the country’s senior mine safety experts is visiting Combe Down in Bath to talk to miners and residents as part of a special health and safety day.

Around 100 miners are contracted by Bath & North East Somerset Council to stabilise the historic abandoned mine workings beneath the village as part of a five-year multi-million pound scheme.

Tony Forster, from HM Inspectorate of Mines, will address the meeting on Friday 28 April. The Inspector of Mines is responsible for making sure the work carried out at Combe Down is being done safely. Mr Forster is in Bath as part of a regular meeting with Bath & North East Somerset Council Chief Executive on the project. He will be given an update on recent works.

Also talking at the meeting on Firs Field will be John Harvey, the mines manager, and David Dunkerley, Chairman of the Combe Down Community Association.

The Council is inviting residents to learn more about the safety procedures in place and acknowledge the work of the miners.

Cllr Colin Darracott, Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “These miners are skilled people doing a dangerous job to protect the homes of thousands of people in this area of Bath. I am proud of the work they are doing.

“Safety is a priority for Bath & North East Somerset Council and we have a very good record at the Combe Down Stone Mines. We are concerned to protect those both above and below ground.

“As 28 April is Workers Memorial Day, when we remember those people who have died at work, I hope this meeting will reinforce this Council’s strong and positive culture of safety.”

The abandoned mine workings beneath Combe Down are being stabilised thanks to a grant from the National Regeneration Agency and English Partnerships to Bath & North East Somerset Council. The project will see 400,000 cubic metres of foamed concrete pumped into around 25 hectares of mine. Other stabilisation techniques will be used for selected areas of significant environmental importance.

David Dunkerley said: “Those of us who have been into the mines know how difficult and dangerous the work is. The people of Combe Down greatly appreciate the skilled work being done on our behalf.”