Mineral sites offer economic prospects for the future

"Former sand and gravel workings offer the basis for future economic generation, according to a report produced by an international team of countryside professionals."

"A UK/North American Countryside Exchange team looked at the Swale & Ure Washlands Project in North Yorkshire and, following a week of intensive study, praised the existing involvement and efforts of the minerals industry and added that former minerals sites could form a focus for water sports, wildlife holidays, cycling, walking and other forms of environmental tourism in the area."

"Based on the washlands alongside the rivers Swale & Ure, the project covers an area from Catterick, Richmond and Masham in the north, past Boroughbridge and Ripon, to the outskirts of York in the south. Funding is currently provided by all of the sand and gravel mineral companies operating in the area together with other statutory agencies such as North Yorkshire County Council, English Nature and the Environment Agency."

"The team’s report highlights the past successes of quarry restoration and proposes that the industry should co-ordinate and promote citizen stakeholder and landowner awareness through continuous professional development events, organized site visits and open days. The report also says that industry must ‘ensure that farmers and landowners are fully aware of the broad range of options for long-term management of former mineral sites’ and adds that quarry sites should be considered for local flood-alleviation plans."

"Siobhan Walker, project officer of the Swale & Ure Washland Project, said: ‘The team were very enthusiastic about the work we have already achieved in partnership with the minerals industry. What they are now saying is that minerals sites are part of the economy and history of the washlands, and that they offer a great opportunity if we co-ordinate their restoration.’"