Improving species and habitat management

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Objective

Recording invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, birds and mammals in the region around the existing quarry with a view to improving the management of them and their habitats.

Context

The entire quarry has been designated as a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). While this status does not prevent quarrying, CEMEX allows access to interested parties and must ensure that the exposure is maintained when the quarry is restored.

Solutions

The restoration provides for the retention of a chalk sequence in sections of the northern quarry face, which is a geological feature of national interest. When assessing the feasibility of extending the quarry in 2006, CEMEX funded an archaeological survey which covered 360 hectares and yielded some significant finds.

There is a progressive restoration scheme in place for the quarry to provide, on completion of working, an area of high quality agricultural.

The workings are visually well screened from the nearby village with over 20,000 trees and two miles of hedgerow. The drainage of the land has been designed to allow for the creation of a wetland and pond area in a location where there is insufficient soil to effect satisfactory agricultural restoration.

In 2005, CEMEX commissioned a specialist environmental assessment to record invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, birds and mammals in the region around the existing quarry with a view to improving the management of them and their habitats.
This revealed the Small Blue butterfly, which decline is rapid. CEMEX is working in partnership with Butterfly Conservation to maintain the Small Blue population in Barrington. The partnership includes involvement of CEMEX employees in voluntary work and fundraising activities.

Results

As well as pieces of pottery, the archaeological survey uncovered two Roman quarries, Iron Age settlements and a Roman farmstead complete with human remains.

Barrington Quarry has an active engagement programme and receives on average between 300 and 400 visitors per year. A majority of these are pupils and students. Over the past four decades quarry visitors have been able to witness fascinating geological finds. This includes the discovery of the fossilised remains of an ichthyosaur, which has been donated to the Natural History Museum in London.