Geograph - photograph every grid square

Progress photograph of land reclamation works in May 1991.
The image shows the removal of the coal slurry from the Kelloe Valley. The slurry coal waste fill was very unstable and contained pockets of water which if disturbed could result in the sudden collapse of the vertical face of the slurry. A crust would form on the top surface of the slurry and it would appear to be solid, yet beneath it was like a blancmange unable to support construction plant or persons walking on it. Temporary shale berms or temporary access roads had to be constructed to allow plant and equipment to access the slurry and remove it.
NZ3437 : East Hetton Colliery Land Reclamation, Co. Durham
NZ3536 : East Hetton Colliery Land Reclamation, Co. Durham