Festival-goers enjoy quarry rock show

More than 400 people attended an open day at Chipping Sodbury quarry organised as part of the south Gloucestershire town’s 2018 festival.

Visitors were taken deep into the quarry excavation in hourly shifts aboard two 50-seater coaches to watch a loading shovel, dumper trucks and a mobile crusher at work.

They were also shown the stone crushing and screening equipment.

A marquee in the quarry yard featured a series of displays from surveying equipment to fossils and senior landscape architect Alexandra Hemming explained how the quarry will be restored, and the work being done to increase biodiversity.

Among other attractions were an asphalt paver and a moving floor articulated truck provided by the contracting division, and the chance to sit at the wheel of one of the quarry’s giant loading shovels.

Quarry manager James Veakins said: “I would like to say a very big thank-you to everyone who gave up their time to ensure the day was such a success. As well as our own staff, we had colleagues from other units helping out as guides and support from the HR and land and mineral resources (LMR) teams as well. “It was a real team effort with everyone pulling together. The feedback from the public was really positive.”