Aggregate Industries muck in at Thurrock

Company helping with upgrade of footpaths and cycle routes at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park

DRAWING on their local logistics network, Aggregate Industries are currently supplying aggregates for the development of the Thurrock Thameside Nature Park in Essex.

Located on the north bank of the Thames Estuary, the nature reserve – first opened in 2013 – is a one-of-a-kind project to convert London’s largest waste site, the former Mucking Marshes Landfill, into a variety of nature habitats, including locally important grasslands, woodland and specialist invertebrate habitat.

Landfill specialists Enovert and the Essex Wildlife Trust are working in partnership on the ambitious restoration scheme, which, over the next five years, will see the 120-acre reserve expanded to 845 acres, including the construction of a network of footpaths and cycle routes.

One of the key requirements for Enovert, tasked with renovating the land at the reserve, was to source top-quality hardstone aggregate to create the paths and cycle routes. Aggregate Industries responded to the challenge by supplying 5,000 tonnes of Type 1 sub-base on an ongoing basis as well as providing invaluable technical advice.

To effectively and sustainably manage supply, the material was consistently delivered on time from Aggregate Industries’ London Gateway depot in Stanford-le-Hope. This localized logistics approach has allowed the team to provide a both cost-effective and efficient solution, cutting down on transport costs and carbon emissions, while operating a stringent quality procedure to ensure the material exceeds the structure and strength values required for the project.

It is estimated that a further 20,000 tonnes of material will be provided until the project’s expected completion in 2023.

Matt Norton, site manager at Enovert, said: ‘I would like to pass on my thanks to Aggregate Industries for providing such a swift and efficient approach to our aggregate requirement, which has been vital in keeping the project on schedule.

‘Working on a scheme of this importance and scale, it is important to partner with genuine experts, not just in terms of product capabilities, but also technical expertise, a sound logistics network and exceptional customer service – and the team has certainly delivered.’

William Harrison, sales manager at Aggregates Industries, commented: ‘As a site that offers numerous benefits to the local wildlife and community, it was clear the ongoing restoration of the site to become the Thurrock Thameside Nature Park requires an economical and robust approach to aggregate supply.

‘Working closely with Enovert from the outset, we put a stringent plan in place to ensure a continuity of supply without disruption, ensuring that the teams have the exact specific technical and quality specification of aggregate as and when they need it.’