Neil Gray MP has visited Aggregate Industries Duntilland quarry in North Lanarkshire, Scotland to discuss how a new community scheme funded by a tax on quarried material could help to deliver key conservation projects in the region. Gray, who has been MP for Airdrie & Shotts since 2015, visited the quarry in the village of Salsburgh to meet the operations team and tour the site. The successful visit also involved an engaging discussion between Gray and key Aggregate Industries’ staff, including quarry
Neil Gray MP has visited Aggregate Industries Duntilland quarry in North Lanarkshire, Scotland to discuss how a new community scheme funded by a tax on quarried material could help to deliver key conservation projects in the region.
Gray, who has been MP for Airdrie & Shotts since 2015, visited the quarry in the village of Salsburgh to meet the operations team and tour the site.
The successful visit also involved an engaging discussion between Gray and key Aggregate Industries’ staff, including quarry manager, Sandy Fullarton, on a range of important issues including potential infrastructure projects in Scotland and the Mineral Products Association’s (MPA) proposed Aggregates Levy Community Fund (ALCF).
Established in 2002, and set at a rate of £2 per tonne since 2009, the Aggregates Levy (AGL) was introduced by the Government to better reflect the environmental costs of quarrying and encourage the use of secondary and recycled construction materials.
Last year, the AGL generated £407 million in revenue for the Treasury. In proposals set out on 1 February, the MPA has said it would like to see 4% – approximately £18mn – of this figure being allocated to fund local community, biodiversity and nature conservation projects.
Sandy Fullarton, quarry manager at Duntilland quarry, said: “We were delighted that Mr Gray was able to join us at our Duntilland site and see first-hand how the materials we produce supplies many of the region’s most high-profile construction projects.
“As a long-standing local business, we have a strong track record in supporting biodiversity and sustainability on our site. As such, by creating a local and national framework for funding vital community and conservations projects, we recognise the positive impact the proposed Aggregates Levy Community Fund (ALCF) could have on the area.”
Gray added: “I’d like to say thank you to Aggregate Industries for inviting me to visit their Duntilland quarry, which provides a highly-valuable contribution to the local community and the region’s construction industry. The visit was a great success, with the discussions providing much food for thought on how we can work with aggregate suppliers to support local community projects.”
