Being a good neighbour
Being a good corporate neighbour is crucial for Tarmac. We strive to address any concerns that people might have about our business, by communicating transparently and responding openly to queries.
Our actions
Safety
We prioritise the health and safety of our employees and the neighbours around our current and dormant sites. We work closely with partners, such as the Mineral Products Association (MPA), to communicate safety messages to children and young adults, through educational initiatives such as the MPA’s ‘Virtual Quarry’. We share safety information with people living in the areas near our sites to raise their awareness of potential hazards, and we implement the highest standards of health and safety at every site.
Safe cycling in cities
In large cities like London, the movement of Heavy Goods Vehicles such as concrete mixer trucks presents clear risks for cyclists. We continuously update our safety procedures and driver training. We also help out at events aimed at improving road safety awareness among cyclists, such as recent Safety Days held at King’s College London and at Guy’s Hospital.
Read more on Supporting safer cycling
Community engagement roadmaps
Tarmac has active Community Engagement Programmes (CEPs) in place at our key sites across the UK. These outline long-term, five-year roadmaps for building positive links with our neighbours. Site managers create targeted community plans and consult local residents regularly about our day-to-day activities.
Schools and education
Children and young people from local schools, colleges and universities attend our regular open days and site visits, where they learn more about the quarrying industry, career opportunities at Tarmac, and our community work. A key part of our educational outreach is explaining why aggregates are so important and how they are used in everyday life. We also join forces with local archaeologists to give children an insight into the archaeological treasures we uncover.
Read more on our work with schools and archaeology
Biodiversity
100% of our active sites have Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) in place, and we were the first quarrying company in the UK to implement this. We enhance biodiversity and increase environmental protection by working with independent ecologists to create site-specific action plans. BAPs conserve the natural habitat in and around our active and disused quarries, allowing a variety of wildlife to flourish. In 2012, we will continue to build on our strategic, long-term approach to biodiversity management. We also hold The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark at a number of sites – in fact Tarmac holds around 37% of the total Biodiversity Benchmarks awarded by The Wildlife Trusts.
Read more on Biodiversity
Restoration
We restore every quarry to a high standard and, wherever possible, ensure that our neighbours are involved in decisions about their local quarry’s restoration. Restoration can leave a positive legacy for communities because quarries often become recreational spaces as well as wildlife havens. There are two types of restoration: progressive, which takes place while a quarry is in use; or final, which is put into practice when a quarry closes. Our successfully restored quarries are now used as nature reserves or wetland habitats, agricultural land or community recreation areas.
Read more on Restoration
Communication
Engaging with our neighbours regularly keeps them informed of our plans and operations. We make sure that everyone affected by our activities has the chance to have their say – through our open days, newsletters and websites – and respond promptly to resolve any issues.
Read more about Operating transparently
