Quarry warned over dust incident

The quarry was temporarily closed in 2006 after a similar incident

Owners of a Somerset quarry have been told to clean up their act after particles of limestone dust were emitted over a village.

Villagers in Cheddar reported seeing clouds of dust in the air and found dust covering their cars on 9 June.

The Environment Agency investigated and said Hanson Aggregates which owns Batts Coombe Quarry was in breach of its Environmental Permit.

The company said the incident was caused by a mechanical fault.

The Environment Agency has given the company an official warning, although a report from the Health Protection Agency stated there was unlikely to have been any adverse effect on public health.

Hanson Aggregates said the incident was caused by a failed seal on a kiln which had now been repaired.

The company also said it had improved its reporting procedures and in future it would report problems to the Environment Agency immediately.

The quarry was temporarily closed in 2006 following a similar incident.