Abergele quarry job cuts blow

Oct 16 2008 by David Simister, North Wales Weekly News

JOBS are being axed at an Abergele quarry that has become a victim of the credit crunch.

Hanson, a supplier of building materials for the construction industry, confirmed yesterday that it will be mothballing operations at its St George quarry site.

“This is very concerning news, especially for the people who work at the site, but there’s also a worry that it will have a knock-on effect for a lot of people in Conwy and Denbighshire,” said Clwyd West AM Darren Millar.

“If any of the company’s other sites in North Wales are affected it will be a big blow to the local economy.”

It is believed that seven members of Hanson’s workforce at the Abergele site will lose their jobs.

The St George site will lie dormant from the end of next month until economic circumstances improve enough to resume production and only one member of the staff will remain, taking on a caretaker role.

“The downturn in the construction industry has hit us very hard,” said David Weeks, the company’s UK spokesman.

“We’re in a position where we expect the market to recover eventually so the last thing we want to do is shut up shop completely.”