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Opencast coal mine at Blackwell

Looking north across the valley to Blackwell in the background. Coal has been worked extensively in this valley, predominately from Blackwell ‘A’ Winning Colliery, which was situated in the field opposite and closed in the 1960s. Permission has been granted for the removal of half-a-million tonnes of coal over two years from the valley. The coal is transported out via rail to a new Westhouses junction (two to three trains per week). Once complete, the valley will be landscaped for wildlife conservation and the existing cycle path will be extended westwards (the Blackwell trail).