GRS has announced a major investment in its joint-venture quarry, which has unlocked new sand reserves and increased efficiency.
GRS, alongside Down To Earth Developments (DTE), formed a 50-50 joint venture called Alton Road Aggregates (ARA) last year. Since then, the companies have identified several operational improvements at the ARA sand quarry near Farnham.
Works were undertaken, including a 138,000m³ earthworks scheme, to relocate clay to a landfill area in the quarry which brought it up to consented levels and allowed for full restoration in that part of the site.
The relocation enabled new phases of sand extraction to become possible at the quarry with the materials being processed on site and sold into the local construction and landscaping sectors.
ARA has upgraded the site’s infrastructure, including a cement-stablised and tarmacked access road, to support the operation of articulated tippers. The access road runs over 500m, with a four metre-wide carriageway, passing bays, and a designated loading area.
“The work means that more vehicles can be accommodated for loading and unloading. HGVs will no longer face the usual access issues experienced in landfill sites during the winter months, and the sealed surface will also reduce mud and debris being tracked onto the public highway, improving conditions for neighbours and other road users,” ARA director Ben Maclean said.
“Overall, these improvements have reduced our average turnaround time for offloading vehicles to under eight minutes, enabling more loads per day for our suppliers and creating a safe, efficient working environment.
“We hope this turnaround time will continue to drop as we refine our onsite processes and suppliers become accustomed to the standards at which we operate.”
