Rhydymwyn Valley History Society

07/06/2026

Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot and Tunnels Access in 2026-Part 3

In 2008 about a dozen of us formed RVHS to research the Valley Site and report on our findings.
In the intervening years we have been on a marvellous journey but then was then and now is now.
There have been major changes recently which totally change what is available and what our access is to it.
As we are now better informed, we can report on what is being offered by Defra and how we can best integrate with that.
This is not a short-term casual issue, major changes have been made, and we wish to be able to contribute in the fullest way to the long-term future of the site and its importance. There are so many people who wish to be involved.
To achieve this, we need to tell all of you, in a broad way what is the situation today, we will then call a full meeting and answer any questions, and you will be able to chose how you wish to progress.
We believe that we are acting in a mature and responsible way.
Best Regards
Colin

28/05/2026

Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot and Tunnels Access in 2026-Two.
This message is mainly for the many people who are not members of RVHS who will be invited to a meeting when we will all decide what parts of the site, we can take forward for the maximum public benefit.
With the tunnels one option is to give minimal access for the rest of this year returning to fuller access when the tunnels are next more fully available, another option is of course not to pursue the short-term limited option but wait until they are more available.
To help you with this, we have attached a picture to view before our meeting..
We will post overviews of all topics ASAP
Nothing has been decided yet
We are trying to find solutions.
Best Regards
Colin

27/05/2026

Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot and Tunnels Access in 2026.
There have been many recent changes and as we promised
we are ready to report those changes.
Up to 2024 we had our most successful series of years, but this changed when Defra amended the tunnel access protocols, effectively closing them to us.
We informed them of the situation, and they indicated that several changes were going to be made at the end of 2025, and matters would be resolved for the 2026 tunnel tours
It was understood that we would mutually move forward and consult where possible.
This continued until two days before Xmas 2025 when, without warning, Defra totally closed the site for major refurbishment and access, the site re-opened at the beginning of May with many physical and access changes.
We publicly promised that when we reached a point where we were confident that what information we had was accurate we would call a public meeting and give a full explanation to you all and we could then decide what parts of the site it is possible to use in the future
We will start providing the overall background in the short term, starting with
THE TUNNELS
In the period between the closure and re-opening in May, it is asserted that major works have and continue to take place, we have been excluded from all information. It has been offered that as a special accommodation for a portion of the North Tunnel to be totally isolated by Heras fencing with reduced visitor numbers. Defra had issued a RAMS which seemed to be a copy of one issued in August 2025 which caused us to cease tours. We were additionally told by Defra that it would in future be necessary to carry one gas detector for every four visitors and not be able to check the air flow through the whole tunnel system for toxicity and to satisfy our insurance requirements.
We do not believe the reduced access and conditions would be attractive to potential tunnel tourists.
There are now further considerations concerning entry to the site which we need to address.
We will update you on other parts of the site shortly
We are trying to find solutions.
Best Regards
Colin

02/05/2026

THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED FROM DEFRA TODAY.
Access Update: Extended Access at Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot
Your support has been invaluable while we worked through the necessary steps to ensure the Rhydymwyn site could reopen safely and with the appropriate controls in place.
We are now pleased to confirm that the site will reopen with full access from Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May.
We had hoped to reopen for the full Bank Holiday weekend; however, the printed copies of the updated induction and site guide will not arrive until tomorrow. To ensure a consistent and safe process for all users, the reopening will therefore take effect from Monday.
As part of the revised arrangements, there is a change in process for all site users:
• All existing members must complete and sign the new site induction before access can be granted, even if they have completed a previous version.
• Any new members or visitors must also complete the induction prior to entering the site.
• Anyone accessing the site MUST sign in and out using the register located at the Visitor Centre.
• Processes for group activities can be adapted to suit all parties, but all activity must be formally recorded.
Hard‑copy forms will be available on site, and electronic copies of both the induction and the site guide are attached to this email should you wish to circulate them to your members in advance.
Below is the notice that will be displayed on site and may also be used in your own communications or media channels:
RHYDYMYWN SITE – IMPORTANT UPDATE
We are pleased to confirm that full access to the Rhydymwyn site will resume from Monday 4th May.
To support a safe and well‑managed return, all site users will be required to complete a site induction, including those who have completed one in the past. This ensures everyone is up to date with current guidance and site arrangements.
Copies of the induction and the site guide are available in hard copy on site, and can also be provided electronically on request.
Thank you for your cooperation as we move into this next phase of reopening. Your support helps us maintain a safe, positive and well‑informed environment for everyone using the site.
Thank you again for your continued engagement and understanding. If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to get in touch with the site on 01352-741591
Best regards
Colin

01/05/2026

HELLO AGAIN ON THIS MAYDAY
We have not been in general contact with you for a number of months,
The main reason for this is that the site was for a time totally closed while a full 86.8 acre survey was performed, followed by major refurbishment, which is not yet completed.
We have decided over the next two weeks to report to you the changes completed and those still taking place.
The changes will modify our complete interface with the site and we need to adjust to this.
After we have published as much of the detail as we can we intend to call a general meeting when we will disclose all of the details we are aware of and you will be able to judge what parts of the package from Defra we can take forward.
We can disclose to you now othat many of the changes are positive and exciting but others are less so.
At this general meeting we will decide what our future is..
Best Regards
Colin

08/02/2026

THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE SITE OPENING
If you follow this link to our website https://www.rhydymwynvalleyhistory.co.uk/ you will see the latest news and the confirmed bookings.
There is a lot of activity in flight with a number of exciting developments subsequent to the current major works.
Many thanks to Phil Pritchard for his work on the website

The Rhydymwyn Valley History Society is an organisation which researches and promotes the operation of the former Ministry of Supply's Valley Works in the Alyn Valley at Rhydymwyn in North-East Wales.

31/01/2026

All I Can Reliably Tell You.
The site was closed just before Xmas for the foreseeable future because it needed an urgent survey concerning public safety.
Yesterday Defra informed everyone that only the area South of the DA gate and the Bird Hide area were closed and the rest of the site was accessible to the escorted public in the normal hours.
When the remaining works were completed we would be told and a revised Induction Procedure would be issued.
We understand that tunnel remediation will improve our frequency and area of visit and should be available from May onwards but we cannot plan or train for any tunnel tours until the new rules and configuration are defined to us.
As soon as all of this is in place we will be able to proceed
Regards
Colin

30/01/2026

Dear Jane Welsh Styles
Please could you email me with your telephone number to [email protected].
I have been trying to contact you for weeks
Best Regards
Colin

30/01/2026

URGENT NOTICE - Temporary extended access restrictions to Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot.
I am pleased to share a positive update following our ongoing health and safety review at Rhydymwyn. Thanks to the measures now in place, we can extend the current boundary restrictions. As of Friday 30th January, the site will be accessible up to the gate demarcation for the DA (Danger Area).

We continue to work closely with CADW to identify suitable long term solutions for managing the risks associated with the DA buildings. These structures show varying levels of roof spalling and falling debris, so access must remain prohibited for safety reasons. We have submitted proposals for review and are exploring appropriate options to address these issues. As measures are implemented, we will update the induction process and work with groups to ensure awareness of site rules, with the aim of reopening the area when it is safe.

The bird hide remains barriered off while works take place to clear and make the area safe. Once complete, we will introduce a usage policy and enable authorised access for members who wish to use the facility.

Following recent discussions with several membership groups, I am also pleased to confirm some of the improvements and upgrades now underway:

• Field Study Centre – replacement microwave and fridge to support Food Hygiene requirements.
• Visitor Centre – a new projector has been ordered and will be installed when it arrives.
• Public Wi Fi – an upgrade for improved public access is currently being scoped, with installation timelines to follow.
• Storage Improvements – new storage units for the Visitor Centre meeting room have been ordered. These will be used to protect historic site documents from damp and will free up space at the rear of the FSC for use by membership groups.
• Woodland Walk – works have been instructed to address current risks and improve the route. The route will terminate at the entrance to the Danger Area for safety and habitat management reasons.
• Wetlands Area – improvement works have also been instructed.
• Buildings 45 & 59 – extended access walkways for greater access.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding while these restrictions and improvements are put in place.
Best Regards
Defra

17/01/2026

Update on the Site (Including the Tunnels)

The main body of the site has bee totally closed since before Xmas and will continue to be so in the short term.
A complete survey by an external body has now been completed and some major works continue apace.
The tunnels have been been remediated which should give more managed extended public access starting in May/ 2026 after the training of future guides..
Other changes have been made and will be made available after completion.
We have not been able to reply to your recent messages because we were unsure of the future but this is now mainly resolved.
We will clear our backlog
These major changes mean we will need to restructure, re-organise and expand our current organisation.
We will post further information to you shortly