More than a dozen representatives from the UK’s National Parks have visited Tarmac’s Swinden Quarry in North Yorkshire so they can learn more about the importance of quarrying in the Yorkshire Dales.
The visit was part of this year’s National Park’s biennial conference, which this year has been sponsored by lead partner, Tarmac, the UK’s leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions company.
The visit began with an introduction to Tarmac and the history of the site, then the represntatives were kitted out in protective clothing before being driven down into the quarry to see the process first-hand.
Emma Chaplow, Tarmac quarry manager at Swinden said: “It was great to be able to host the visitors here and to show them around the site.
“We are very proud to be part of the National Park here in Yorkshire – and to have sponsored this year’s National Parks conference. The conference and the visit were a great opportunity to showcase what we do, as well as to learn more about the challenges faced by the National Parks around the country.”
After the initial quarry tour the visitors, drawn from the UK’s National Parks, were treated to a Yorkshire themed buffet, before gathering on the viewing platform to watch one of the quarries routine blasts.
After the blast, delegates had the opportunity to speak to explosive experts about how they mitigate the impact of the explosions, before being taken to view the sites railhead and restoration areas.
Mineral extraction is essential to the UK’s infrastructure pipeline, and Tarmac is committed to careful planning both before and after quarrying operations to ensure sites are managed responsibly and sustainably to conserve and enhance natural habitats, wildlife and cultural heritage. The company focuses on contributing to the economic and social well-being of local communities within national parks and other operations across the UK.
The conference, which was held in the Yorkshire Dales, attracted 100 delegates attending including National Parks Chairs and CEOs, representatives from Government and other agencies. The conference was held between September 17 and 19.
