Brinscall Quarry to supply masonry stone

"HANSON Aggregates’ Brinscall Quarry near Chorley in Lancashire is taking part in a pilot scheme to find new markets for gritstones and sandstones. Linking up with Hanson Bath & Portland Stone, the quarry — which normally produces chippings and sand — is supplying large boulders to a masonry company for more decorative uses including paving and ashlar cladding."

"The move into new markets came as Bath & Portland Stone’s general manager, Jonathan Pitt, started exploring new sources of materials within the group. ‘We want to expand our product range from limestone and the move into sandstone is the first step,’ he said. ‘Stone from this quarry, known as Brinscall Brown, has an interesting texture and colour and has potential for use as blockstone.’"

"The move to explore new markets coincides with a decision to stop blasting at Brinscall. Instead, rock is being removed from the face in 7–8-tonne blocks using a 55-tonne hydraulic excavator. Quarry manager Dave Large said: ‘This is a more environmentally friendly extraction method. There is less noise and dust and we are able to produce higher-quality aggregate with less waste.'"

"The quarry produces around 5,000 tonnes of stone a week, of which 60 tonnes is currently set aside for the blockstone trials."