Mine shaft to be capped

A mine shaft close to playing fields in Trefonen is to be capped amid fears it could collapse. A study revealed the 273ft shaft could be unstable.

Now The Coal Authority and Oswestry Borough Council are working to ensure it is secured.

In February a family were forced to flee their home when a mine shaft collapsed near Priest Weston on the Powys/Shropshire border. Last month a shaft collapsed in Dawley, Telford.

Peter Bourne, of the council, said The Coal Authority approached it after carrying out risk assessments of mine shafts.

The Trefonen shaft is on land next to the village playing fields, acquired by the council 30 years ago.

A safety fence was put up around the shaft and in 1998 information display boards about the mine's history were erected. An old mining tub was also put on the site.

Council workers have been going inside the fence to maintain the area. But a new letter from the authority says: "The council should reconsider this decision as it cannot give an assurance the shaft is stable."

Mr Bourne said the authority would like to see the shaft capped off.

"Capping of the shaft will ensure the long-term stability of the shaft and secure the ground inside the possible collapse zone," he said.

"Capping is a well-established civil engineering procedure and offers a permanent solution to potential hazards associated with disused mine shafts."

He said the council would aim to ensure the site was a lasting monument to coal mining. The circular brickwork around the shaft could be reinstated and the information boards and old mining tub returned after the capping, if councillors agree.