Following a previous meeting in August, Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Bangor, Conwy and Môn visited Penmaenmawr Quarry to see the site’s operations first-hand and discuss concerns raised by local residents.
During the visit, Janet met with Becky Murphy, Joe Ferguson and Haydn Griffiths, who provided an update on the quarry’s operations, recent investment and plans for the future.
Janet said:
“I would like to thank Becky Murphy, Joe Ferguson and Haydn Griffiths for welcoming me to the quarry and for the insightful visit. At my previous meeting, I raised concerns from residents about high levels of dust being emitted into the air, as well as reports of work taking place lower down in the quarry.
She continued:
“During my visit, Heidelberg provided reassurance that proactive measures have been taken to minimise dust emissions. I was also able to see some of the improvements that have been made on site, including the new conveyor, which is now operational.
“I was informed that there had been a temporary situation in the loading area which resulted in operations being moved. With the loading taking place further down the site, so it can be transported via rail. I understand that this has now been resolved.
Janet added:
“The quarry has made significant investment in recent years, with more than £500,000 spent on improvements to the site. It currently employs around 20 people and is looking to expand. This represents a significant boost to the local economy.
“The quarry is also involved in projects that support wider infrastructure, including work connected to sea-defence projects. These contracts, alongside the investment, and increases in rail haulage from the site, enabling materials from the site to be transported quickly and efficiently across the country, demonstrate the wider economic contribution the quarry can make.
Janet continued:
“From what I saw during my visit, the site appears to be taking the necessary steps to address the issues that have been raised, particularly around dust, while continuing to invest in its operations and workforce.
“It is also important that there is effective communication between the quarry and the local community. Where residents have concerns, having clear and accessible channels of communication can help ensure that issues are raised directly and dealt with quickly, while also helping to prevent misunderstandings.
“Overall, I was encouraged by what I saw during my visit. There has been substantial investment, improvements have been made and the quarry is looking towards further growth and employment. I will continue to engage with the site and listen to residents to ensure that concerns are properly addressed as these developments move forward.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Yn dilyn cyfarfod blaenorol ym mis Awst, ymwelodd Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Fangor Conwy Môn â Chwarel Penmaenmawr i weld y gwaith ar y safle yn uniongyrchol a thrafod pryderon a godwyd gan drigolion lleol.
Yn ystod yr ymweliad, cyfarfu Janet â Becky Murphy, Joe Ferguson a Haydn Griffiths, a roddodd y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf iddi am weithrediadau'r chwarel, buddsoddiad diweddar a chynlluniau ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Meddai Janet:
"Hoffwn ddiolch i Becky Murphy, Joe Ferguson a Haydn Griffiths am fy nghroesawu i'r chwarel ac am yr ymweliad diddorol. Yn fy nghyfarfod blaenorol, codais bryderon gan drigolion am lefelau uchel o lwch yn cael ei allyrru i'r awyr, yn ogystal ag adroddiadau am waith sy'n digwydd yn is i lawr yn y chwarel.
Parhaodd:
"Yn ystod fy ymweliad, rhoddodd Heidelberg sicrwydd bod mesurau rhagweithiol wedi'u cymryd i leihau allyriadau llwch. Roeddwn hefyd yn gallu gweld rhai o'r gwelliannau sydd wedi'u gwneud ar y safle, gan gynnwys y cludwr newydd, sydd bellach ar waith.
"Cefais wybod bod sefyllfa wedi codi yn yr ardal lwytho a arweiniodd at orfod symud gweithrediadau, gyda'r llwytho yn digwydd ymhellach i lawr y safle, er mwyn gallu cludo ar y rheilffordd. Rwy'n deall bod hyn bellach wedi'i ddatrys.
Ychwanegodd Janet:
"Mae'r chwarel wedi gwneud buddsoddiad sylweddol yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf, gyda mwy na £500,000 wedi'i wario ar welliannau i'r safle. Ar hyn o bryd mae'n cyflogi tua 20 o bobl ac mae'n bwriadu ehangu. Mae hyn yn hwb sylweddol i'r economi leol.
"Mae'r chwarel hefyd yn ymwneud â phrosiectau sy'n cefnogi seilwaith ehangach, gan gynnwys gwaith sy'n gysylltiedig â phrosiectau amddiffyn y môr. Mae'r contractau hyn, ochr yn ochr â'r buddsoddiad, a'r cynnydd mewn cludo ar reilffyrdd o'r safle, yn galluogi deunyddiau o'r safle i gael eu cludo'n gyflym ac yn effeithlon ledled y wlad, gan ddangos y cyfraniad economaidd ehangach y gall y chwarel ei wneud.
Parhaodd Janet:
"O'r hyn a welais yn ystod fy ymweliad, mae'n ymddangos bod y safle yn cymryd y camau angenrheidiol i fynd i'r afael â'r materion sydd wedi'u codi, yn enwedig o ran llwch, tra'n parhau i fuddsoddi yn ei weithrediadau a'i weithlu.
"Mae hefyd yn bwysig bod cyfathrebu effeithiol rhwng y chwarel a'r gymuned leol. Lle mae gan drigolion bryderon, gall cael sianeli cyfathrebu clir a hygyrch helpu i sicrhau bod materion yn cael eu codi'n uniongyrchol ac yn cael eu datrys yn gyflym, tra hefyd yn helpu i atal camddealltwriaeth.
"Ar y cyfan, roeddwn i’n falch o’r hyn a welais yn ystod fy ymweliad. Bu buddsoddiad sylweddol, mae gwelliannau wedi'u gwneud ac mae'r chwarel yn edrych tuag at dwf a chyflogaeth bellach. Byddaf yn parhau i ymgysylltu â'r safle ac yn gwrando ar drigolion i sicrhau bod pryderon yn cael eu datrys yn briodol wrth i'r datblygiadau hyn symud ymlaen."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
