Survey of Broad Haven Primary School and adjacent land, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales

A survey of Broad Haven Primary School was made by BGS in response to concerns of public safety following recent flooding at the school during September 2008. The survey found evidence for severe soil erosion on the field above the school and deposition of that sediment on the school grounds. The survey did not find substantial volumes of coal waste in the field immediately east of the school, nor did it find any evidence for slope instability in the field above the school. The desk study, undertaken before the site walkover, did however yield information suggesting there is a history of underground coal mining within the area. The actual extent of historic mine workings under the hillside, above the school, remains generally unknown. Furthermore the influence of mine drainage on local groundwater conditions and the potential contribution of mine water to the flood hazard are unclear due to a current lack of information on the extent of workings. It is recommended that improved surface water management of the field and school site is required to mitigate the existing flood hazard. Additional mine-related hazards have also been identified. Any future development or engineering activity affecting the slope should take into consideration the potential impacts on slope stability. Further specialist investigation may be required to better understand the extent of historic mine workings, and thus the potential mine related hazards in the vicinity of the school.