WELL, Dave Harvey, you may have worked for 40 years in coal mines, been a Freeminer, but from the recent comments in the Review, your knowledge of the Forest of Dean coalfield is sadly lacking.

I would suggest that you read again the article in the Review of December 13 which clearly indicates it was a corporate submission from Dean Forest Voice not requiring any one signature and in my opinion is in no way a comparison with the tragedy of Aberfan.

I am certain you are aware of the achievements and aspirations of Dean Forest Voice. Were you not a guest at their recent "Faddles" concert ?

Over the years there have been very many mining tragedies, mostly below ground, but the surface tragedy at Aberfan will remain in our memories for ever, particularly bearing in mind the loss of so many children.

Now, nearly an half century later, there is little we can do for all those who sadly had their lives cut so very prematurely other than to pray for their souls and to make absolutely certain, down to the last detail that, in their memory, nothing like this ever happens again not even to a single person.

There is no room for complacency as you are suggesting in your letter and if, in your opinion, it is barrel scraping so be it. I am more than proud to stand by DFV's concern.

Just look at the facts at the Northern Quarter: A college is proposed to educate our children, to be constructed on nearly a 200 feet deep opencast, unstable backfilled site and in an area littered with mining operations that have probably been going on since the Romans were here.

Furthermore, the building is only a short distance from the foot of Hawkwell Tip which was formed on unconsolidated surface deposits, including the unstable areas of upper series coal seam outcrops.

Granted the tip is probably only about 100 foot high, but nevertheless a formidable obstacle in the wrong situation and is yet another reason why there is no room for complacency in any form or at any level.

The council's own consultant engineers even recognised the danger of future subsidence and recommended that all drainage should be increased in gradient to avoid problems that would be inevitable.

The same comments apply to the 100-bed hotel and proposed housing construction.

The sub-structure costs for these projects are going to be colossal and then with no guarantees. Guess who is paying for such folly?

Dave, your comments on the underground water situation are again totally wrong.

You mentioned Old Norchard Colliery in your letter. Are you aware that this is the lowest drain-off point for the Forest's deep mines, 67 feet above Ordnance Survey datum and discharging a minimum of 5,000 gallons of water each minute, 24/7?

Project this level to the other collieries and this gives a water level of 493 feet up Princess Royal shaft, 392 feet up Cannop shaft, 26 feet up Arthur and Edward shaft, 186 feet up Northern shaft and 72 feet up Hawkwell shaft.

There is a depth of water of around 1,200 feet in the deepest part of the coalfield, 36 atmospheres of pressure.

What do you think happens to your "floor puff" Dave in these conditions?

I will tell you. Like on the surface, clay when wet will flow and with the added pressure this is a non-existent commodity.

Finally Dave, do not rush to get your pen before making sure of your facts.

The parents of children likely to attend this college will not thank you for negative and incorrect comments and I am certain that even those few in favour of this development at Nofold Green will be cringing at your latest ramblings.

– Paul Morgan, Retired Home Office mine surveyor, Coleford.