Industry and Public Sector partnership

Alongside a large mineral extraction site in a quiet corner of the North East there is a collaboration between Lafarge Aggregates and the Government's conservation body, Natural England, that is enhancing a national nature reserve (NNR).

Thrislington Quarry near Ferryhill, Co. Durham, is a nationally important source of magnesian limestone which, after processing, provides vital products for the steel industry. This limestone is also crucial for creating the habitat of the Thrislington NNR, which is managed jointly by Lafarge and Natural England.

It is a partnership that has been recognized by Professor David Bellamy who commented: 'It is hard to believe that within the vicinity of this large, industrial process at Thrislington is an ecological success story.'

Thrislington NNR owes its national significance to being undisturbed grassland that only thrives on magnesian limestone, which was formed some 250 million years ago when the area was under shallow tropical waters called the Zechstein Sea.

The reserve covers nearly 60 acres - 13 of which were moved during the 1980s by the quarry operator to allow quarrying to continue nearby. This translocation programme was the first time the movement of special grassland like this had been successfully carried out. Now the reserve is the largest and best example of this type of grassland in England.

The grassland is characterized by the presence of blue-moor grass, a species restricted to northern England, alongside a host of limestone-loving species including some more commonly found on southern chalk downs. It is this mixture of species that makes the grassland at Thrislington so special and ecologically important.

Thrislington NNR is internationally noted for its stands of perennial flax and has the largest population of this plant in England. This plant is not to be confused with the flax grown by farmers for its oil and fibre.

Insects abound, notably with glow-worm and 22 species of butterfly including the rare Northern Brown Argus that lays its eggs on the rock-rose plant, which relies on grazing to prevent it being smothered by invasive scrub.

As part of the management plan for the reserve a carefully controlled grazing regime is employed using a combination of sheep and Exmoor ponies.

This fragile habitat requires dedicated stewardship but the management partnership also has to cater for public interest in the reserve. Maintaining the right balance between the needs of the wildlife and access for visitors has now been achieved.

New facilities, costing over £28,000, have recently been installed, including easy access paths, gates, viewing platforms and information to help visitors understand the site's special features. Disabled visitors and those with reduced mobility can use the hard-surfaced path that takes them to a viewing platform from where they can see a large portion of the site and its diverse range of grasses, flowers and insects.

In a visit to see the work, Helen Phillips, chief executive of Natural England, said: 'Through careful planning and sensitive construction we have been able to open up this magnificent  grassland to the public. The improved access and viewing platforms mean that more people now have the opportunity to experience the unique nature of this fragile and beautiful habitat.'

Dr Phillips was shown round the reserve by David Park, restoration manager northern region, who added: 'We are proud of what we have achieved with this nature reserve as Lafarge have enjoyed a long a successful partnership with Natural England and its predecessors not only here but at many other sites across the country.'

Lafarge is the only quarrying company in the UK to look after two NNRs on their land. In Bedfordshire, they manage Kingswood NNR, an area of ancient, semi-natural woodland, consisting mainly of small-leafed lime, oak and birch. The 61 acres of woodland requires regular coppicing to rejuvenate the historic tress and encourage the spread of ground flora.

Mr Parks added: 'Quarrying and sustainability may appear to be worlds apart but the way in which we manage and enhance biodiversity through the restoration and aftercare of our sites, and the care of areas such as Thrislington and Kingswood, is one of the keystones of our approach to sustainability.'