Concern over Mountsorrel quarry dust

Dust from a Leicestershire granite quarry is to be tackled after a study found it to be above national limits.

The site, off Wood Lane in Mountsorrel, was the focus of tests by Charnwood Borough Council after concerns were raised by some nearby residents.

Officials have said they want to work with owners and residents to monitor and reduce dust levels.

Owner Lafarge said it took its responsibilities seriously and action had already been taken.

'Standards breached'

The site has been worked since Victorian times but was taken over by Lafarge in 1997.

The council has set up an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) following an investigation by environmental health officers.

Complaints, they said, focused on dust getting on cars, washing and other property.

Alan Twells, the council's head of environmental health, said: "We monitored the site from January 2009 until March 2010 and found that emission standards were being breached.

"The council began talks with relevant businesses, including the quarry company, Lafarge, who immediately reviewed their practices and responded very positively."

Continuous monitoring

A spokesman for Lafarge accepted dust levels were higher than was desirable in some areas.

They added: "While we are not the only source of dust in the area, we are the largest operator and we take our responsibility for controlling dust seriously.

"We have already done a lot of work to address the matter, including refurbishing the truck wheel wash to improve performance and reduce drag out on to local roads; increasing road sprays on site; recladding buildings to prevent dust escaping; erecting fencing and installing continuous monitoring systems."

A consultation has begun for residents and businesses to give their views.