In Whitehaven, Cumbria, located in northern England, David Cradduck, 77, reflects on his time working 2,000 feet underground in the Haig Pit coal mine, which closed in the mid-1980s. He vividly describes the daily routine of mining and the challenges faced by the workers in the coal seams that dipped to the southwest. The closure of the mine had a devastating impact on the local community, with over 600 jobs lost.
Despite the decline of the coal industry in the area, plans for a new deep mine near the old Haig site have sparked enthusiasm among some residents. However, opposition to the new mine has grown, particularly in the more affluent South Lakes area of Cumbria. The issue has become a point of contention, with legal disputes and environmental concerns surrounding the project.
The recent High Court ruling deemed the planning approval for the mine unlawful, adding to the ongoing challenges faced by West Cumbria Mining Ltd (WCM), the company behind the project. Environmental groups and local residents continue to voice their concerns about the potential impact of the mine on the environment and the community.