Aggregate Industries boost Minehead’s sea defences

Thousands of tonnes of granite from Scottish super quarry help protect part of the Somerset coastline

AGGREGATE Industries have supplied 13,500 tonnes of armour-stone by sea from Glensanda Quarry, in Western Scotland, to Blue Anchor Beach, near Minehead, Somerset.

Three sailings were made by the MV Hagland Saga carrying 4,500 tonnes of granite, each piece of stone weighing 3–6 tonnes and each trip taking 21 days to complete.

The stone was transported to an offshore coastal anchorage position before being transferred to the company’s SeaRock barge, which completed the final stage of the shipment to Blue Anchor Beach.

The £3.8 million Somerset Council scheme, being delivered by main contractor Kier Integrated Services, is to protect the cliffs, walls and nearby B3191 road from continued erosion.

Stephen Dryden, Aggregate division regional director for the North, Scotland and overseas at Aggregate Industries, said: ‘This was a fantastic project to be involved in and we have had to work very closely and collaboratively with Somerset Council and the principal contractor.

‘Logistically, it was no mean feat to transport 13,500 tonnes of granite from Western Scotland to Somerset, but it really demonstrates our capabilities.

‘We have built up a real reputation for being able to deliver such schemes with numerous coastal defence projects now to our name.

‘Transporting by sea in this way also eradicated the need for more than 700 vehicle journeys.’

Councillor Sarah Dyke, lead member for environment and climate change at Somerset Council, said: ‘I am delighted to see these important works finally take place, benefiting the communities in West Somerset. The scheme will provide a more permanent defence against coastal erosion.’