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Statistics There
are seven active quarries: They employ over 1,500 people, making the quarrying industry one of the regions largest employers. Thousands more depend on the industry They have an annual turnover of £150m and contribute £40m a year to the local economy through wages and purchases Less than one percent of the surface area of the Mendips is being quarried Combined output of the nine quarries is around twelve million tonnes a year About 5 million tonnes a year goes out by rail, saving thousands of lorry journeys Mendip stone is a vital natural resource and is used throughout Southern England. It is not exported outside the UK |
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Mendip Quarry firms have spent millions of pounds on landscaping and restoration and millions more will be spent in the future. Restoration is carried out progressively wherever possible and not left to when quarrying ceases
Over 200,000 trees have been planted to date and this programme continues The industry recycles used road surfaces and demolition waste Quarry waste is being washed to produce usable aggregate The quarries operate to increasingly rigorous standards Quarry restoration will provide valuable afteruse, eg. water storage, recreation and wildlife areas |
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