Bodies of water at current and former quarries represent an ongoing hazard to the public – especially to young people – as we have posted before, including ‘Hundreds risk lives swimming in AI quarry’.
The industry is fully aware of the problem it leaves in its wake. As our climate warms, bodies of cold water will become ever more attractive to young people as places to cool off.
The recent warm weather, coupled with the easing of lockdown restrictions, has seen numerous reports of trespass across our industry with people trying to access bodies of water at quarries. This is incredibly dangerous, and can lead to serious injury and police involvement. pic.twitter.com/A5QMt2xMJk— Aggregate Industries (@AggregateUK) June 3, 2020
Its #DrowningPreventionWeek in the UK and we would like to remind people that quarry lakes are not safe for swimming in. They can be very deep and very cold with a high alkaline level and debris below the surface. Stay out and stay safe ❤️ #DPW pic.twitter.com/iwq3PUli4K— CEMEX UK (@CEMEX_UK) June 15, 2020
Did you know around 700 people lose their lives in water-related incidents in the UK and Ireland each year? As part of 'Drowning Prevention Week' we're urging you all to #StaySafe with @RLSSUK summer safety tips. https://t.co/8pI70dafdh #StayOutOfQuarries #DPW #EnjoyWaterSafely pic.twitter.com/VLsZ1x7IYg— Tarmac (@TarmacLtd) June 15, 2020
Things have got so bad at one former quarry – Large groups ignore lockdown and swim, enjoy picnics and litter at popular lake near Lincoln – that owners Cemex UK Properties Limited believe that rather than stepping up security and making the site safe, construction of 150 homes – whilst presumably profiting handsomely in the process – is the "only practicable way" the company can stop people trespassing on the site:
Development is the only practicable way to safeguard Apex Lake from unauthorised access from the south, safeguarding the natural habitat and addressing a growing public safety concern.
However, given that operations at the site ceased in 2014, it appears to have taken CEMEX six years to deal with this growing public safety concern – despite previous warnings:
Criminal damage caused to fencing to gain access and trespass on the old CEMEX quarry site, Apex Lake, North Hykeham. Young people are jumping off the rusted metal into the water, very dangerous. Owners have been contacted to secure the site. pic.twitter.com/Hh7Y5aAy5j— Hykeham Police (@HykehamPolice) July 24, 2018
