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Lafarge Tarmac continues to develop conservation projects at quarry sites

World Cement,


Langford Lowfields Quarry

Lafarge Tarmac has partnered with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to restore areas of the Langford Lowfields Quarry, UK. New trails have been opened at the site, which is still active. These trails will enable visitors to access the reserve and enjoy the changing view of the landscape as restoration work continues. Lafarge Tarmac and RSPB have been working together on the project for the last two decades with the aim of developing a 180 hectare wetland environment.

“Over 50 hectares of reed bed wetland has already been created at Langford Lowfields, which is attracting species as diverse as bittern and kingfisher. This is a unique project, owing to the significant size of the reed bed. It is only through partnership with Lafarge Tarmac that this restoration has been made possible,” commented Steve Holliday, Midlands Regional Director of the RSPB.

Whitesands Quarry

The East Lothian Junior Rangers and RNLI have teamed up with Lafarge Tarmac and RSPB Scotland to build a new nesting raft for terns at the Whitesands Quarry, east of Dunbar, Scotland. The raft is 16 m2 and moored on the water near to a public viewing area. The rangers were responsible for ensuring that gravel covering the raft base was the correct depth for nesting terns. RNLI Dunbar then used an inshore lifeboat to tow the raft to its position.

“Terns were fairly common in the past but disturbance from humans and dogs along the coast, and attacks on eggs and young chicks by predators, have all taken their toll. Even new sea defences at sites around our coastline have reduced the available nesting habitat for these birds,” explains Mike Thornton, RSPB Scotland and Project Officer for the site.

“The installation of this tern raft marks the beginning of an exciting, long-term programme of habitat creation and restoration for this old quarry site. The use of tern rafts and floating islands can offer an effective way to provide important undisturbed habitat in a deep-water lake for ground nesting birds such as terns and some wader species. It’s a great addition to Whitesands Quarry and to East Lothian birdlife as a whole, and will give visitors to the viewing area even more to look at.”

“We are working with RSPB Scotland to create a vision for restoring the quarry in a way that enhances and encourages biodiversity, and creates a great amenity for local communities,” said Florin Stoiean, Manager at the Lafarge Tarmac Dunbar cement plant. “A year into this project, we are delighted with the ideas Mike has come up with and the way in which the area is taking shape. We would like to express our thanks to the Junior Rangers and the RNLI, and hope to see many visitors this summer to the viewing area to see the new raft.”


Adapted from press release by

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/06062014/lafarge_tarmac_quarry_restoration_projects_315/

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