Mine memorial clean-up bids rejected - campaigners

Repeated offers to clean up a miners' memorial hidden by vegetation have been refused by a council on health and safety grounds, campaigners have said.

The miners' wheel, on Birdwell roundabout near the former Rockingham Colliery, had been obscured by greenery since 2023, according to Hoyland Common Residents Group.

Jaz Holt, from the group, said members had worked with Councillor Andy Wray and had offered to do the work themselves, but the bids had been rejected by Barnsley Council on health and safety grounds.

The authority said it had explored "every feasible option" for clearing, enhancing or relocating the wheel, including volunteer-led work, but its location posed significant challenges.

Holt said the group had applied for a licence under the Highways Act to allow volunteers to carry out the work, but that application was refused.

She said she had repeatedly asked the council to clarify which health and safety concerns were being cited, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"It's actually in pristine condition. It stands so beautifully on a concrete stone base," she said.

"It's just idyllic to remember these miners that not just lost their lives, but worked so hard and then later on in life probably got emphysema because they worked in a pit."

Wray explained he was first approached about the Rockingham wheel in September 2023 by a former miner who asked whether it could be made visible again.

The councillor said he had then contacted the authority's highways department about a possible relocation of the wheel, but was told there would be significant costs involved, including road closures, crane hire, planning permission and risk assessments.

Wray said the council's South Area Team had been supportive and that a small amount of funding had been identified for an alternative project.

In June, a site meeting was held with councillors, officers and arborists to consider options including vegetation clearance, relocation or a new heritage project.

However, Wray said he received an email in December stating limitations at the site meant further clearance or relocation was not feasible and officers now considered the matter concluded.

"People of the Rockingham Ward want this wheel on show, whether at the current location or moved to somewhere nearby," he said.

In response, a Barnsley Council spokesperson said the authority understood the strength of feeling locally, however the wheel's location created serious constraints.

"We're proud of our mining heritage in Barnsley and want to find ways to continue celebrating it," they stated.

An alternative project was being progressed to recognise Rockingham's industrial heritage in a way that could be safely maintained, the spokesperson added.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North