Aberfan today
The appearance of Aberfan has changed little since the tips were cleared in 1969. The main changes are:
- The new Cardiff-Merthyr main road (A470) runs along the hillside above the village, cutting right through the path of the disaster slide.
- Merthyr Vale Colliery closed in 1990. Landscaping of the site is almost complete.
- The site of the destroyed schools was turned into a memorial garden, which has recently been refurbished (see http://www.davies-sutton.co.uk/). On that site, choose the 'Portfolio' option.
- The site of the destroyed houses is now occupied by the Community Centre.
- Bethania Chapel, which was used as a mortuary after the disaster, has been replaced. The new chapel contains a tablet to the memory of its members who were killed in the disaster.
The community welcomes sensitive visitors but not casual sightseers. To reach Aberfan, it is best to approach from the south (Cardiff direction). Follow signs from the A470. The cemetery and memorial garden are signposted from the T-junction in the middle of the village. The cemetery contains the graves of about half of the victims of the disaster, in a columned monument on the hillside. The plaque at the entrance to the memorial garden is inscribed 'To those we love and miss so very much'.
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