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...knives are out for Tarmac
Page 16
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QUARRY GIANT TARMAC has been accused of breaking an agreement to employ local hauliers in Northumberland after awarding a contract to a national bulk transport operator.
Eddie Simpson,who has worked out of Harden Quarry near Morpeth for more than 30 years, says up to a dozen local operators have been hit by the sudden switch to HargreavesTiransport Services.
He claims that planning permission to extend the quarry eight years ago was only granted by Northumberland National Park Authority on the condition that it provided work for local people.
"I feel I have been stabbed in the back and then had salt rubbed in the wound by them saying I could still work as a subcontractor." He says this pays a lower rate with a longer waiting period to get his money.
Although Hargreaves's subsidiary GR Wardle & Sons operates out of Haltwhistle. Throptonbased Simpson says this is the other side of the county. His grievance has been taken up by Councillor Sue Bolam who is a member of the park authority.
She says: "Local people feel something a bit underhand has gone on and are very angry at what has happened. Hargreaves is based in County Durham and does not provide any local employment at all."
A Tarmac representative says the switch will improve customer service and business efficiency."In 2003, we operated with several hired hauliers, the largest of which delivered 26% of our material, of which it subcontracted 45% to other hauliers . Hence there is clearly an opportunity to improve our service further."