New moves to tackle hazardous Quarter road

Apr 17 2008 By John Rowbotham

A COUNCILLOR said he was satisfied with the progress made so far in attempts to tackle problems on a hazardous road.

Andy Carmichael was speaking about measures put in place to stop clay falling from lorries on to Carscallan Road, Quarter.

The clay-laden lorries use the road on their way from Carscallan Quarry.

Villagers say material from the lorries is coating Carscallan Road and, at times, creating a slippy and hazardous surface for other road users.

In February, councillor Carmichael and Quarter Neighbourhood Watch voiced their concern about the road to representatives of Ibstock Scottish Brick, who own the quarry.

Councillor Carmichael was again in touch with the company representatives last week.

He said Ibstock had installed a second wheel washer to cope with lorries leaving the site.

At the moment, water for the washers comes from tankers brought on to the site.

Ibstock were trying to make arrangements to have the washers connected to a mains supply.

Councillor Carmichael said the company had also deployed a second and “more advanced” sweeper to keep the road clean.

And, according to the Larkhall councillor, Ibstock had laid down new rules governing lorry movements from the site.

The rules were aimed at helping to tackle the problems concerning villagers.

“I have an assurance that if the rules are not followed, both the driver and lorry will be excluded from the site,” said Councillor Carmichael.

He added: “It would be naive to expect the problem to be sorted out 100 per cent, given the sheer nature of the work carried out at the quarry.

“However, hopefully it will be drastically reduced from what it used to be.

“I am happy with the measures that the company say they are going to put in place.”