CAMPAIGNERS in Wales are demanding that the site of a huge opencast coalmine be filled in and the land restored to its previous condition.

Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd operated Ffos-y-fran opencast coal mine until last November.

Residents of nearby Merthyr Tydfil say that the company inflicted 16 years of dust, noise and lorry traffic on them while the mine was open and when it pulled out, it simply abandoned a giant crater and left huge environmental damage.

Campaigners want Merthyr County Council and the Welsh government to restore the site.

Residents Chris and Alyson Austin said: “We are sickened by this whole affair and we call on the Welsh government to stand up and sort out this sorry mess now, once and for all.”

Campaign group the Coal Action Network has launched a petition calling on the Welsh government to intervene.

Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd has now been wound up.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We wish to see full restoration of the site in line with the planning permission.”