Weight limits hit quarries
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by Steve McQueen • About 30 subcontracted hauliers face an uncertain future after they failed to object to a proposal for a 7.5-tonne weight restriction near a quarry and Derbyshire County Council approved the plan.
Carsington-based Longcliffe Quarries, which employs the subcontractors, and operates its own fleet of 22 powder tankers and tippers, fears the enforced detour through other towns could make the price of its lime powder uncompetitive.
The additional mileage costs and increased travelling time to other quarries could cost the hauliers their livelihoods. Longcliffe has successfully fought to delay the move since last April, unsupported by the hauliers it employs. Sales manager Stewart Baker says: "We asked the hauliers to write objecting to the weight limit. Only one did." He blames an influx of newcomers to the village of Brassington for the restriction, which is expected to be in operation this year.