This week, I quizzed the Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly, over the subsidence currently affecting Egremont caused by abandoned historic mineworkings. I have tabled ten parliamentary questions on the issue and am now seeking a meeting with the responsible minister to discuss the issues facing Egremont. I know that the people of Egremont (and Cleator) are extremely concerned by the subsidence currently affecting the town. Like me, you want to know how widespread the problem is, which bodies are responsible for dealing with the problem and when and by whom these problems are going to be resolved.
Surely, funding and professional expertise must be made available by someone at some point so that the wider community can have its anxieties removed and the problem solved? For some time now, I have spoken with local residents and local mine historians and geologists about the scale of the problem (Councillor David Banks in particular continues to offer invaluable advice and guidance) and the fact of the matter is that we cannot leave the next major subsidence episode to chance. We deserve better, and I intend to do everything in my power to ensure that we get all of the help that we need.
We need to map the town geologically so that we can understand what is next likely to happen, where and when. This will require partnership from a number of bodies and will cost significant sums, but Egremont cannot be the only town in the country experiencing subsidence caused by historic, abandoned mineworkings and it may be the case that a national effort is needed to assist all of those areas experiencing these problems. I know that the people of Egremont and the surrounding areas have displayed uncommon patience so far and the resolution of this problem is well overdue.
My parliamentary questions will be answered soon and this will only then be the start of the process to resolve this issue. This may be a long haul, but we are in it together.