Pledge to ‘enhance Asham Wood’ if Westdown quarry is re-opened, by local democracy reporter Daniel Mumby

A STRETCH of Somerset woodland could be ‘seamlessly extended’ and enhanced for future generations if a quarry near Frome is allowed to reopen, says Hanson Aggregates. 

The company has applied to reopen Westdown Quarry, which lies near the A361 between Frome and Shepton Mallet. 

Hanson Aggregates, which also operate Whatley Quarry, has pledged that it will enhance the nearby Asham Wood and the former Asham quarry, including the existing rights of way through the site. 

Somerset County Council is expected to decide whether the quarry can reopen later in the year. 

But the plans have come under fire from local protestors who are opposing the re-opening of the quarry. See story opposite.

Pressure is being put on more quarries to re-open as the construction industry has seen demand for mineral products – and especially limestone, a key ingredient for concrete – skyrocket in 2021.  

In the last 12 months, materials produced by Hanson have been used in a large number of major infrastructure projects across the south west – including the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, the sea wall reinforcements at Dawlish and the nightingale hospital in Exeter. 

If reopened, Westdown Quarry will be able to handle local demand using road haulage on the arterial A361 – leaving the nearby Whatley Quarry to focus on supplying national infrastructure projects like HS2 and Crossrail through its mainline rail link, says Hanson Aggregates. 

This “combined approach”, the company believes, would “bring benefits to the neighbouring communities” – especially when it comes to minimising traffic through the villages nearest the two quarries. 

A spokesperson said, “Our overarching principle is that the combined operations of the two quarries, including mineral volumes and vehicle movements, will not exceed the current levels for Whatley. 

“Our aim is to take advantage of Westdown’s location, close to key road routes, to supply local demand. At Whatley this will enable greater use of the rail link to supply national markets. 

“Together, these steps will cut our carbon footprint and reduce the impact of quarry traffic on neighbouring villages.” 

Whatley Quarry currently has permission to extract eight million tonnes per year for the next three years, with the material being split roughly half-and-half between rail and road freight. 

Should Westdown Quarry reopen, Whatley’s annual output will drop to six million tonnes a year (with a 2:1 split between rail and road traffic), with Westdown contributing up to two million tonnes per year, which will be distributed by road.