Penmaenmawr quarry FAQs

The location of quarries is determined by geology and Penmaenmawr is one of the largest natural granite reserves in Europe, making it a key location.

Quarrying at the site began almost two hundred years ago and it produces aggregate that is used to help build and maintain our homes, schools, hospitals, roads and other essential infrastructure.
 

In recent years, demand has grown for rail transported material, which helps to reduce congestion on the roads and also cuts associated carbon emissions. As a result, since the railhead at Penmaenmawr reopened in late 2021, production at the quarry has increased from around 200,000 tonnes of aggregate a year to approximately 450,000 tonnes.

Penmaenmawr is a granite quarry and supplies aggregate for use in construction projects across the UK. The aggregate is also used to produce asphalt and ready-mixed concrete at the on-site plants.

It currently supplies a number of major infrastructure projects, including  ballast for use in rail projects, as well as supplying other Heidelberg Materials asphalt plants.
 

Currently we have permission to continue quarrying at the site until 2042.

The usual quarry operating hours are 06:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday, with blasting taking place around once a month. The quarry has a 24-hour licence to operate, and hours may be extended as required.

The concrete plant is open Monday to Saturday between 07:00 to 19:00 and the asphalt plant from 06:00 to 19:00, although bitumen materials must not be loaded into the plant prior to 07:00. The asphalt plant’s hours may be extended to supply overnight highway improvement works.

The whole site is generally closed on Sundays, public and bank holidays but may open subject to prior agreement with Conwy County Borough Council.
 

On average there are four to five train movements each week from Penmaenmawr, with each train carrying the equivalent of 60 to 80 lorry loads of aggregate.

We transport around 80 per cent of the aggregates produced at the quarry by rail, with the remaining 20 per cent transported by road.
 

Our current permission allows trains to enter and exit the railway sidings at any time, but loading is restricted to between 06:00 and 18:00 every day of the year.

The train schedules are dictated by Network Rail which gives priority to passenger trains during the day.
 

HGVs can enter/leave the site from 06:00 to 22:00 Monday to Saturday. However, we do not allow loaded vehicles to leave before 06:30, as part of our commitment to being a good neighbour. All other traffic is permitted 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Blasting usually takes place once a month. Our permissions allow blasting at any time between 09:00 and 16:00 Monday to Friday, and between 10:00 and 13:00 on Saturday. 

No. The standards* we, and all quarry operators adhere to, have been set to protect people, property and the environment. The standards are based on independent research from around the world into quarry blast vibration, and the UK has some of the strictest levels in place. 
*British Standard 7382: part 2 1993
 

Noise and dust monitoring is carried out on site by independent specialists and off-site within a defined area around the boundary including St David’s Road, Erasmus Street and Graiglwyd Terrace. Conwy County Borough Council has regulatory oversight of this activity and investigates any complaints it receives.

As part of our commitment to being a good neighbour we have invested in a number of mitigation measures to minimise dust including wheel washes around the site, dust suppressions measures on conveyor transfer points and dust units to remove dust from operators’ personal protection equipment (PPE) before entering clean spaces such as control rooms and cabins.
 

We have a Biodiversity Action Plan in place that aims to support and enhance the wildlife and habitats found at Penmaenmawr. The management objectives implemented include:

• Enhancing oak woodland through removal of non-native species and undertaking thinning works where appropriate. 
• Increasing heather cover on suitable slopes and former working areas using locally sourced seedlings grown in our on-site polytunnel.
• Maintaining suitable nesting locations and foraging habitats for Welsh choughs with ongoing monitoring by specialists at RSPB.

Our aim across all our quarries is to leave behind a site that is as good – or better – for biodiversity than existed before extraction began. Alongside our operations at Penmaenmawr, we are carrying out ongoing restorations to create a mosaic of habitats that support local wildlife and reflect the natural heritage of the area.

There are two Public Rights of Way (PRoW) that pass through Penmaenmawr quarry, one which runs from the base of the site to Gilfach Road and the other from Cwmlws Lane to Blaen Llwyn. Both routes include designated crossing points across roads which are used by quarry traffic.

Safety is a key priority and we ask all visitors using these paths to remember that as Penmaenmawr is an active quarry site. It is important that you:

• Remain on marked public footpaths at all times.
• Take extra care when crossing the quarry roads.
• Follow all signage and instructions.
• Be aware of heavy mobile plant and light vehicle movements within operational areas.

Heidelberg Materials provides many different career opportunities at its sites across the UK, including at Penmaenmawr quarry. These range from drivers, engineers and geologists to environmental specialists and plant operators.

At Penmaenmawr quarry, we continue to support local employment and also offer apprenticeships which provide the opportunity to earn while learning and gaining industry recognised qualifications.

You can find out more about our career opportunities and how to apply on our careers website at: careers.heidelbergmaterials.co.uk