Penmaenmawr quarry on the north-west coast of Wales produces and supplies aggregates, asphalt and ready-mixed concrete for the surrounding area.
The site is rail connected, enabling it to supply construction projects across north Wales and north-west England while reducing vehicle movements on the roads and cutting associated carbon emissions.
Around 20 people are employed at Penmaenmawr across the aggregates, asphalt and concrete business lines, as well as many more across our supply chain of contractors and support staff.
We actively support local initiatives and programmes which benefit our local community and environment including cash and material donations.
Contact us
For all enquiries, please email us penmaenmawrquarry@uk.heidelbergmaterials.com
Opening times
Our normal operating hours, unless otherwise agreed with Conwy County Borough Council, are as follows:
- The quarry is open Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 17:00.
- The concrete plant is open Monday to Saturday from 07:00 to 19:00.
- The asphalt plant is open from Monday to Saturday 06:00 to 19:00. Bitumen materials must not be loaded into the plant before 07:00.
Closed on Sundays, public and bank holidays.
- Dry-stone stock bays are open Monday to Saturday from 05:00 to 22:00 and on Sunday from 07:30 to 18:00.
Closed on public and bank holidays.
Heavy goods vehicle hours
Loaded vehicles can enter and leave the site Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 22:00. All other traffic is permitted 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
The site is generally closed on Sundays, public and bank holidays, but may be opened subject to prior agreement with the Conwy County Borough Council.
Blasting times
Blasting usually takes place once a month at Penmaenmawr. Our permissions allow blasting Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 16:00 and on Saturday between 10:00 and 13:00 except when there is an emergency at the quarry or the A55 is closed.
Train times
Our permissions allow trains to enter and exit the railway sidings at any time. However, loading of the trains is restricted to Monday to Sunday between 06:00 and 18:00 including public and bank holidays.
About Penmaenmawr quarry
Commercial quarrying began in 1830.
Commercial quarrying began in 1830, producing setts and later railway ballast. The Penmaenmawr and Welsh Granite Co Ltd was formed in 1911, then absorbed by other companies in 1960s and 1980s, remaining in operation today under the ownership of Heidelberg Materials.
Timeline
1830 Commercial operations begin after a lease was obtained for the foreshore.
1848 The arrival of Chester to Holyhead railway increased the importance of the quarry, with most of its output then sent by rail.
1878 The Darbishire family became the dominant force behind the quarry.
1881 Production expanded to include ballast for railways.
1911 The quarry joined with others to form The Penmaenmawr and Welsh Granite Co Ltd.
1921 The company merged to form the Penmaenmawr and Trinidad Lake Asphalt Company but this was dissolved in 1954.
1960s The narrow-gauge internal railway was replaced by trucks, and the company was absorbed by a larger firm.
1985 Amalgamated Roadstone Corporation (ARC) take over management of the quarry.
1989 Hanson acquires ARC as part of its acquisition of Consolidated Gold Fields.
2007 Hanson becomes a subsidiary of Heidelberg Cement.
2023 Hanson rebrands to become Heidelberg Materials.
Careers and apprenticeships
Working at Heidelberg Materials is about being part of One Team.
We operate more than 300 manufacturing sites in the UK and employ over 4,000 people, offering a variety of careers and development opportunities.
These include a wide range of roles from production workers, plant operatives, engineers, technicians and drivers to sales, IT, finance and HR managers.
Our graduate programme for specialists in engineering, geology, marketing or a STEM related discipline, offers a structured two-year programme based in a variety of locations across the UK.
We also provide various apprenticeships, giving you the opportunity to earn while you learn and the opportunity to secure valuable industry qualifications.
These include our three-year higher apprenticeship programme, which offers the first steps towards various careers in our sector from site supervisors to quantity surveying, and other apprenticeships for roles including plant operators and mechanical engineers.
For more on our graduate and apprenticeship programmes, career opportunities and our current vacancies and details on how to apply visit our careers website.
News
Penmaenmawr rail link reopens after a decade
Our Penmaenmawr railhead in north Wales reopened as part of our UK rail strategy to reduce vehicle movements and cut associated CO2 emissions.
Community liaison
We are committed to open communication and hold bi-annual meetings with Conwy County Borough Council, Penmaenmawr Town Council and other organisations and groups to discuss local issues and projects.
Our aim is to ensure that this group is made up of representatives from the local community, locally elected representatives and relevant council officers, as well as representation from relevant statutory and non-statutory bodies.
If you are interested in representing your community on this group, please get in touch with us at penmaenmawrquarry@uk.heidelbergmaterials.com
Supporting the community
As a responsible operator, we want to play our part in supporting communities where we operate as well as protecting and enhancing the local environment.
We welcome visits from schools, colleges, scouts, guides and other groups to our site, host open days and support various projects in the community where we operate.
This includes annual quarry tours in collaboration with the Penmaenmawr museum.
In addition, local charities and community groups have benefitted from the donation of money, materials and time, through our employee volunteering days.
Our approach is to prioritise support for initiatives:
- Promoting education, skills and wellbeing
- Protecting and/or enhancing the environment
- Supporting biodiversity and sustainability
- Promoting the community and heritage of the area
Financial and materials donations are prioritised to groups from those within a three-mile radius of Penmaenmawr quarry and voluntary work within 10 miles of our site.
Click here to request a financial or materials donation or voluntary support. Please tell us about your group and/or project, what type of support you are seeking and how your project’s aims align with our priorities above.
Recent beneficiaries
- Penmaenmawr Golf Club - 20 tonnes of aggregates
- Dwygyfylchi Bowling Club – 12 tonnes of aggregates
- Mountain Lane School, Buckley – 4 tonnes of aggregates
- Forever Young Forest at Escape Camping, Caersws – 16 tonnes of aggregates
- Penmaenmawr Town Council – 50 tonnes of aggregates
- Penmaenmawr Phoenix Football Club – 30 tonnes of aggregates, 3.5m³ of concrete
- Ysgol Pencae Primary School, Penmaenmawr – 30 tonnes of aggregates
- LLanfairfechan football club – 6 tonnes of aggregates, 4m³ of concrete
- St Paul’s Church, Penmaenmawr – 1.2 tonnes of aggregates