Another story about Aggregate Industries. Another story about broken promises. Another story about how much you can trust what AI says. This is what Andrew Griffiths, MP for Uttoxeter says:
LAST year I wrote in this paper about the benefits Uttoxeter's quarry had brought to the town through the jobs it created and minerals it extracted. In the same column, I highlighted how residents would soon be rewarded for their patience, putting up with the disruption the quarrying activity had created with work shortly beginning on regenerating the site into a community asset.
It came as a surprise to me then, along with local residents earlier this month, to learn that Aggregate Industries, the company that manages the quarry, has lodged an application with Staffordshire County Council to extend its excavation of the site for a further 10 years.
This goes in direct contradiction to the promise they made to residents on being awarded the previous extension back in 2008, that in return for the additional eight years of quarrying activity, work would start on transforming the area into pleasant walkway and sports facilities with the site being handed over in stages.
The new plans also do nothing to address the concerns of residents and other users of the nearby road, the B5030.
Aggregate Industries has controversially applied for an extension to excavate and restore Uttoxeter Quarry until 2028
This road already sees accidents and congestion on a regular basis, but the increased traffic the area would experience from the quarry could pose a real danger to pedestrians and road users.
The actions of Aggregate Industries are completely unsympathetic towards local residents who are fed up of delay after delay.
I have already written to the county council on a number of occasions in object to these plans and I will campaign along with other local activists for the rights of local residents against this proposal. Last year I said I'd put up with the disturbance caused by any new quarry if it meant residents had access to the new community asset.
However, as work is still yet to start on this, to award Aggregate Industries another extension would go against local people's good will and disregard the company's broken promise. Funding has been awarded by Sports England for these new leisure facilities and that money will not be up for grabs for long. I will continue to urge the council and Aggregate Industries to fulfil their promises, take the financial opportunities available and give the people of Uttoxeter the new facilities they deserve.
