Plant's hours extended to meet HS2 demands

Plans for a concrete plant to operate beyond its permitted hours to support the construction of HS2 have been approved.

Pyford Brook Quarry, near Alrewas, Staffordshire, will now be able open outside of 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, until the end of March.

Staffordshire County Council approved the application, subject to conditions including measures to avoid the use of the site's loudspeaker and the installation of signage at the quarry entrance.

Despite the limits, residents remain concerned about the site's levels of noise pollution.

Plant owner Cemex said during the extended hours lorry movements would be limited to 170 within a 24-hour period on weekdays, 86 on Saturdays and 17 during each evening and night.

The plant added that it would monitor noise limits between 22:00 and 07:00 on a fortnightly basis and monitor daytime operations monthly.

County councillor Janet Eagland asked the committee to refuse the application.

Eagland referred to the disruption from the plant's public address system and vehicles and said: "What would the quality of life be like for residents living in the villages?"

Resident Stephen Cox said the three month period of extended hours was "excessive" as when permission was originally granted for the plant's operation outside of hours in 2021, it was on the basis that it would be on "a small number of occasions".

In the past the plant had to apply for written approval before they were able to operate for extended hours.

Cemex said supplies to complete the first phase of HS2 would have to come from further afield, which was unsustainable and caused more emissions, if it was not able to operate beyond the earlier agreed hours.

Concrete from Pyford Brook is being used for the construction of the south Staffordshire HS2 line overbridge, the A38 southbound slip road overbridge and the A38 Rykneld Street overbridge.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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