Bradwell Quarry

GKL group is engaged in a joint venture at Bradwell quarry with Blackwater Aggregates. The project involves excavating 5 / 6 metres of heavy overburden clay to reveal 7 metres of ballast. This follows the stripping of the 300mm topsoil layer and the 700mm subsoil. The quarry provides materials for concrete plants, Black Top Coating plants and sand and gravel suppliers.

Method of Work

The digging operation is carried out with a carefully planned terrace formation with each terrace being a maximum of 2½ metres high. This method of work is preferred for safety reasons and is also operationally more efficient. The access ramps are constructed with a very shallow lift, to allow the works to continue all year round. This has proved highly successful and has kept the quarry operational even in some of the wettest conditions through the winter months.

Bradwell quarry covers an area of over 500 acres with the entire dig being phased over a 20 year period. The first 122 acres have already been quarried and subsequently returned to full agricultural use, as governed by DEFRA to a specific 5 year plan. The quarry has an unusually difficult configuration, with a requirement to excavate 750,000 tonnes of ballast every year, which is covered by 1,000,000 tonnes of heavy clay. A more usual ratio would be 75% ballast to 25% soils. Even with this degree of difficulty, the project is progressing beyond expectations and targets are regularly exceeded.

Plant

GKL Group supplies all of the heavy plant required to operate Bradwell quarry, including 40 tonne and 46 tonne excavators, a fleet of 30 tonne and 35 tonne Dump trucks, bulldozers and loading shovel equipment. Our new vehicle and equipment policy, with an exchange period of approximately three years, ensures the project is conducted efficiently and critical targets are met. The Service Backup Agreement in place provides a same day response keeping ‘down time’ to a minimum.

Expertise

The staff employed by GKL at Bradwell Quarry are highly skilled and experienced in the field of quarry work, many having worked within this sector for an average of more than 20 years. This provides immense expertise and a vast pool of knowledge to carry out the work safely and efficiently to meet demanding targets.

Training & Safety

All staff engaged by GKL, in quarry activities, are trained to CPCS standards and each holds a Quarry Passport. Regular safety meetings are held monthly to ensure safe working practises are implemented and adhered to at all times.