As a local resident and frequent visitor of the Sirhowy Valley Country Park, I am deeply concerned about ERI's Bedwas Coal Tip reclamation proposal due to be submitted to Caerphilly County Borough Council's planning authority, which includes the use of one of the park's busiest areas for the haulage route, and for the building of a new access point and the plant itself. Instead these should be located on alternative existing access roads and outside the Sirhowy Valley Country Park. This park is not just a recreational facility, but an essential part of our community's health and well-being. It provides us with a place to walk, cycle, run or horse ride - activities that are crucial for maintaining our mental and physical health. There is also a newly built Covid memorial garden, a community farm and activity centre, soon to be a Children's care home.

The country park also houses Wyllie Bike Park - one of the most heavily used areas of the park with a conservatively estimated excess of over 250 riders per week riding the mountain bike trails. The proposed haulage route and reclamation plant would stop these activities and potentially cause irreversible damage to this beloved local resource.

Stopping users having access to the proposed haulage routes and the area for the processing plant and facilities will cut off some of the busiest parts of the Sirhowy Valley Country Park for up to 7 years - and this is NOT acceptable and should not happen. Furthermore, subjecting the Sirhowy Valley Country Park to 60 lorries a day during construction, and then 18-20 lorries a day for the remaining duration, as well as the huge compound itself will have a huge negative impact on users. 

Moreover, it is not just about us humans. The park is home to diverse wildlife which will be adversely affected by such industrial activity.

We urge ERI to reconsider their plans to be submitted to Caerphilly County Borough Council for the Bedwas Coal Tip reclamation plant location and haulage route in respect of preserving this vital green space for both residents' well-being and environmental conservation purposes.

Please sign this petition if you believe in protecting our cherished Sirhowy Valley Country Park from being turned into an industrial site. Let's stand together to safeguard our community’s health, well-being, and natural heritage!