The robust case against the proposed establishment of a giant gravel quarry on the banks of the Upper Clyde at Overburns Farm near Lamington found powerful support in December – from nature.
The weather weighed in to demonstrate sharply one of the key issues the objectors have focused on – the potential pollution of a section of the river it has taken literally decades to clean up, now host to arguably the best brown trout population in Scotland.
Flooding of the great pits which would be sunk close to the river banks would not only pollute this now fertile stretch of the river but would be swept dowstream, destroying the salmon beds and other habitats in the middle and lower river.
The angling community has been adamant about the almost inevitably destructive im0act of the proposed quarry, a stance made formal through its national organisation, Scottish Anglers National Association (SANA)..
Politicians at all levels and from all parties support the opposition case, as do major environmental bodies like SEPA, SNH and RSPB and celebrities with a know commitment to outdoor activities, like Griff Rhys-Jones..
CRAG, the Clyde River Action Group which has mounted a determined and well organised campaign against the proposal (and has a highly informative website), has attracted widespread support from a swathe of surrounding communities. These would be affected by water, air and noise pollution as well as degradation of roads and of public safety through what would be an incessant procession of very large trucks transporting away the materials quarried.
CRAG lists a selection of the environmental impacts that would follow local any Council approval of the submission. It says:
- ‘Almost 10,000 anglers come to this beautiful spot each year to enjoy their sport. The fish would be killed and an important part of the view would be foully scoured and despoiled’.
- ‘Thousands of other Lanarkshire folk come to climb Tinto Hill ( a renowned local feature) for the magnificent views’.
- ‘Not only is our outstanding local beauty spot threatened but so too are associated jobs in tourism. B&Bs, hotels and pubs, garages and shops would all lose the annual income from these visitors’.
It is beyond question that visitors woud not choose to come to an area hosting a massive gravel quarry and with the approach roads and narrow local roads constantly clogged with heavy gravel trucks at the rate signalled by the proposing company’s own information..
From the data submitted with the planning application by Patersons of Greenoakhill, named and shamed by SEPA as a serial polluter, For Argyll has calculated that there will be an average of 1 heavy truck movement every 6 minutes in the hours the quarry proposes to operate each day, 7.00am-7.00pm – for a period of 15 years.
To support this campaign, which is in the national as well as local interest, go to the CRAG website to find out more, to sign the supporting petition of objection and, if possible, to donate to the funds keeping this campaign going.
See also the series of previous articles – in chronological order from first to most recent, which we have published here on this matter.
- No catch and release in Clyde River Action Group’s campaign against Lamington Quarry
- Anglers gear up for action as Patersons planning application for Upper Clyde Quarry goes in
- CRAG and the angling community mobilise against Upper Clyde Lamington Quarry
- Call for submission of objections now to quarry application for anglers’ favourite Upper Clyde
- Upper Clyde Lamington Quarry objectors raise profile nationwide
- Powerful objections to proposed Lamington Quarry as Clyde overflows banks
- SNH and Griff Rhys Jones cast their support for CRAG over Lamington Quarry proposal
All the latest comments (including yours) straight to your mailbox, everyday! Click here to subscribe.