Developers can now identify mining and groundwater constraints thanks to a free online tool created by the Coal Authority and Environment Agency.

The innovative pilot scheme uses their expertise and data to give essential guidance to local planning authorities, developers and consultants to help them design sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in coalfield areas.

SuDS cause minimal or no long-term damage to the surrounding environment and can even provide environmental benefits when created in the right way.

Dr Ian Watson, environment manager at the Coal Authority, said: “SuDS are a sequence of water management practices, designed to efficiently and sustainably drain surface water, to minimise the impact on flooding and local water quality.

“SuDS usually incorporate infiltration to ground within their sequence of management practices and it is these systems that this tool can help design.

“In areas with specific geology, in particular those affected by mining, and a high water table, infiltration-based sustainable drainage systems may not work and could result in groundwater flooding or pollution risks. Additionally, such issues might not occur immediately, but could take many years to manifest themselves as mine water levels rise over time.

“For that reason, it is now necessary to consider the potential future spatial pattern of mine water and groundwater levels and the potential pollution impacts together.”

Sally Gallagher, from the Environment Agency’s Groundwater and Contaminated Land Team, said: “The screening tool provides developers and local authorities with a better understanding of what they will need to consider in new development proposals to reduce the impact of drainage systems now and throughout their design life.

“The Environment Agency has provided technical input to help bring this new tool to life. It’s an exciting and successful project that we have worked closely with the Coal Authority on to provide a clear picture of the risks associated with the Durham and Northumberland coalfield. The support of local authorities in trialling and helping develop the tool over the past year has been invaluable.”

“SuDS provide real benefits to society and to the environment, moving surface water from a problem to a valuable resource. This screening tool will help ensure that where SuDS are used in mined areas their design and long term management could provide measurable benefits and improve our environment by reducing flooding and pollution of our rivers, lakes and groundwater.”

The new screening tool covers most of North East England, but there are plans to extend its reach if this pilot project is successful.

Use the new screening tool to identify mining and groundwater constraints for development

Prime Minister Theresa May met President Mauricio Macri of Argentina at the G20.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

This afternoon at the G20 in Argentina, the Prime Minister had discussions with President Erdogan of Turkey.

The leaders agreed that the relationship between the UK and Turkey continues to strengthen.

They discussed modern slavery and agreed it was important to work together globally to stop this awful crime.

The Prime Minister and President Erdogan also discussed the developing trade relationship between the two countries, and agreed there will be opportunity to strengthen this still further when the UK leaves the European Union.

They discussed increasing our defence industry co-operation, in particular through the TFX fighter jet project.

The PM stressed the importance of ensuring that those responsible for the appalling murder of Jamal Khashoggi are held to account, and said that Saudi Arabia should take action to build confidence that such a deplorable incident could not happen again.

Published 3 December 2018

Prime Minister Theresa May met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today (30 November) during the G20 summit in Buenos Aires.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that those responsible for the appalling murder of Jamal Khashoggi are held to account, and that Saudi Arabia takes action to build confidence that such a deplorable incident could not happen again.

Noting the steps taken by the Saudi investigation since the Foreign Secretary had met with the Crown Prince and King Salman on 12 November, she encouraged the Crown Prince to ensure that Saudi Arabia co-operated fully with the Turkish authorities and worked to bring both investigations to an acceptable close. To ensure full accountability there needed to be full transparency about exactly what had happened and who was responsible, in line with the commitments made by King Salman when she spoke to him on 24 October.

On Yemen the Prime Minister set out the urgent need to bring an end to the conflict and bring relief to millions threatened by famine. She urged concrete Saudi support for UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and for progress at the upcoming Stockholm talks.

The Prime Minister stressed that the humanitarian situation remained dire and reaffirmed UK commitment to making progress on improving the situation, including through a UN Security Council Resolution.

The Prime Minister reiterated UK support for Saudi Arabia’s security, including the very real threats posed by Iranian interference in Yemen.

Published 3 December 2018