Production is set to increase at a South Gloucestershire quarry after it was given permission to extend its opening hours.
Wickwar quarry has been awarded a two-year temporary permission order from South Gloucestershire Council to run its coating plant from 3.30am until 11pm on weekdays and from 3.30am to 6pm on a Saturday.
The Cemex-owned quarry was also granted permission to operate outside of the aforementioned hours on 60 occasions during the year.
Ian Southcott, community affairs manager for Cemex, told the council yesterday (October 14th) that it was necessary to extend its opening hours to meet increasing demand from the Highways Agency and local authorities.
Mr Southcott added that the firm had spent £170,000 over the past two years in an attempt to nullify the noise of the facility, with local residents voicing their concerns of high-traffic traffic levels and sleep deprivation.
However, Ladden Brook councillor Howard Gawler, backed the move, claiming Cemex had "done their bit to make things as good as possible, as quiet as possible" for nearby residents.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the quarrying industry includes; elevators – bucket elevators – valves
