Tarmac sends flood of stone to protect Gloucester substation

Tarmac's Stowfield Quarry leapt into action last week to help with the flood alleviation scheme in Gloucester.

Gordon Lambert, Tarmac's transport manager at Kington regional office said: "As a retained Watch Manager with Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue based at Coleford Fire Station, I was already involved with the Gloucester flooding.

'Although there's never a normal day in the fire service I was a little surprised when I received a call to ask if Tarmac could supply stone to help protect the substation. I contacted David Bargh, the manager at Stowfield Quarry and a plan was formulated."

The stone was used to fill hessian lined wire Gabion baskets, which were then placed 2m high, and 1km long around Walham substation to act as a barrier to the flood water. The substation not only supplies over 50,000 Gloucestershire homes but also GCHQ.

Although the threatened deluge of rain didn't quite materialise, Tarmac sent in around 3,000 tonnes of stone from late Thursday (26 July) afternoon to Saturday (28 July) lunchtime.

For further information please contact Rebecca Jackson, Tarmac Press Officer on 01902 382896.