Tension builds in Walsall row
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by David Craik MI Driver jobs at a Walsall sand and gravel quarry are at risk due to "unreasonable" worries from new local residents over traffic congestion and noise around the site.
Richard Hayward, director of Bliss Sand and Gravel, explains that after a meeting last week Walsall Council is set to impose an enforcement notice over unlawful uses of the quarry, including material redistribution and recycling.
He blames local residents for swaying the council's decision and says an appeal will be made as his company has worked at the site for more than 10 years, thus earning what he believes to be "established user st:tus".
"Wt. already have planning permission for HGV supply and quarrying," says IIayward. "However if an enforcement notice is made on the other uses we will lose 25% of our revenue and jobs will be lost. This could include driver jobs on our nine rigid tippers."
He is determined to fight the appeal on the legal issues this time: "Vociferous complaints have been heard from local residents over traffic noise and lorries on the road endangering child safety," says Hayward. "Hut what really sticks in my craw is that the most vociferous are from new residents. Why did they move in there if they knew a quarry was nearby?"
Hayward maintains that traffic movement to and from the site has reduced over the past 15 years.