Lafarge Tarmac welcomes Shadow Minister for Railways to Tunstead

Discussing the rail network

The Shadow Minister for Railways, Lilian Greenwood MP, and the leader of High Peak Borough Council, Cllr Caitlin Bisknell, visited Lafarge Tarmac’s cement, lime and aggregates operations in Tunstead, UK, last week. They were shown around the Tunstead site, including the railway sidings. The visit allowed for discussions about rail capacity and ways in which the local and national rail network could be improved.

“This was a good opportunity to discuss a number of topics regarding the rail network and to show the Shadow Rail Minister how current arrangements are limiting our ability to move more tonnage by rail,” said Mat Woodcock, Head of Group Logistics and Supply Chain at Lafarge Tarmac. “Investment is needed in the local and national rail network in order to address these issues and we hope this visit will help to highlight this.”

Education opportunities for the next generation

The Tunstead site also welcomed 11 students from the Chapel-en-le-Frith High School in the High Peak. These students are studying for an entry-level qualification in science, which includes ‘materials from the earth’.

In addition to a tour of the site, the students also witnessed a stone blast in the Old Moor Quarry. Lafarge Tarmac staff discussed a number of topics with the students, including: health and safety; uses of limestone as a raw material in construction applications; social and environmental aspects of quarry activities.

“Lafarge Tarmac is committed to educating the next generation and we are always delighted to welcome students to our site. We tailored this visit towards the students need to understand about the science of how a quarry and cement operation works and we are pleased that they found it so useful,” explained Viv Russell, Lime and Powders Director at Tunstead.

Emma Wragg, Enhanced Resource Base Teacher at Chapel en le Frith High School, added: “The students were amazed with the size and power of the machinery used onsite. It was a great opportunity for them to see a quarry and cement operation and to meet some of the people who work there. It was also very interesting for them to learn about the materials used and how the site is recycling and burning waste as a way to cut down on emissions. We are constantly striving to raise the aspirations of our pupils and this tour really ignited their interest.”

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/24032015/lafarge-tarmac-welcomes-visitors-to-tunstead-site-568/