Major tipper operators relinquish quarry rights
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• ARC and Aggregate Industries say that tipper drivers will not be affected by their decisions to give up rights to several quarries in the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District and Snowdonia.
The quarry firms have come under repeated pressure from the Council for National Parks and environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth to do more to protect the countryside. The Government is also threatening an aggregates tax and tighter planning controls over mineral extraction.
Aggregate Industries says it will not seek to extend the life of its Isle of Skye quarry in the Peak Park, or Cool Scar quarry in the Dales, where licences expire in four years' time.
"Both quarries are ven, small and we don't anticipate any negative effect for drivers because we will simply source our supplies from other quarries in the area." says a spokesman. The company has also decided against reopening the dormant Hartshead quarry in Derbyshire.
ARC is giving up its right to reopen its dormant quarry at Ribblehead in the Dales; an area which has been designated a sight of special scientific interest. It has also agreed not to reopen quarries at Helwith Bridge in the Dales and Arenig in Snowdonia.