Tor Leathan Quarry operations to increase 150 per cent after Highland Council grants permission to Pat Munro Ltd

QUARRYING at an Easter Ross site is to more than double despite local concerns.

Output at the Tor Leathan Quarry is set to increase by 150 per cent after Pat Munro Ltd was granted planning permission to ramp up work by Highland Council.

The increase in the maximum permitted output from the quarry will rise from 100,000 tonnes to 250,000 tonnes this year, enabling for the speedy expansion works at the Port of Cromarty Firth,

The change to the work load at the quarry, located about nine kilometres north of Alness, drew concern but no objection from Ardross Community Council who were mostly worried about traffic issues.

Members of the local council fear the sheer level of industrial activity in the area, with major civil engineering work already under way – namely at the Ardross Distillery and the Glasa Hydro scheme – could lead to problems.

There are fears over extra traffic so it was requested that any conditions should include measures to ensure “traffic movements are spaced at suitable intervals to avoid convoys. The community council wants to see a 40mph limit from Stittenham to past Dalnavie crossroads as they questioned how 250,000 tonnes will be extracted while meeting conditions that allow only five blasts a year.

Cromarty Firth ward councillor Mike Finalyson said: “Obviously it has been very comprehensively looked at. I certainly know that within the community council there is a desire to see that 40mph speed limit increased to include all vehicles along that road.”

The application then passed without further comment.

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