Vanishing act

Having stood out against the Yorkshire Dales skyline for almost a century, Swinden Quarry - the largest quarry in the former Tilcon Northern region - is about to disappear from view.

The 2 million tonnes/year operation will be hidden from sight upon completion of a £15 million, Tarmac-designed redevelopment of the plant, currently being carried out by Fairport Engineering. All the existing fixed plant and buildings are being replaced with state-of-the-art equipment located deep in the quarry bowl.

With remaining reserves of 40 million tonnes, the scheme is part of a plan to keep production going for another 20 years. Commissioning of the new plant is scheduled to take place next month and will be followed by the demolition of the old plant, the construction of a new quarry entrance and further landscaping work to complete the quarry's vanishing act.