UK leads Europe at Sustainable Development Awards

THE UK quarrying industry is celebrating two major successes following the European Aggregates Association (UEPG) Sustainable Development Awards, which took place last week in Brussels. With nine prizes being awarded to submissions from across the European Union, the Quarry Products Association’s two wins put the UK level on points with Spain, which also took home a pair of trophies.

QPA member Eton Aggregates – a joint venture between CEMEX, Lafarge Aggregates, Summerleaze Ltd and Tarmac – took home the award for Economic Contribution to Society for their Dorney Lake restoration. The former sand and gravel extraction site is now home to an Olympic-class rowing lake that has been designated an official venue for 2012.

The QPA itself landed a Special Association Award for its groundbreaking work on health and safety through the www.safequarry.com best practice sharing website. The website is the first of its kind in the world and the judges drew attention to the practical advice it can offer operators in helping to reach the industry’s target of zero accidents.

Commenting after the awards, the QPA said the wins show the Association and the UK quarrying industry to be leading the way for the sector in Europe with an emphasis both on high-quality operation and restoration, together with a strong emphasis on employee welfare.

The awards were collected by QPA director general Simon van der Byl and QPA chairman Lynda Thompson, together with representatives from Eton Aggregates and the QPA’s director of health and safety, Martin Isles.