Wiltshire quarries issue trespass warning

2:05pm Tuesday 20th May 2008

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Parents are being warned to be vigilant over the bank holiday weekend as a warm spell could lead to children being exposed to unseen dangers in Wiltshire's quarries.

The warning comes from the Quarry Products Association following a nationwide survey of quarry managers and the overwhelming message is that warm weather often leads to misadventure at their sites.

With 15 active quarries helping to produce 0.9 million tonnes of aggregates a year in Wiltshire, the county is in the front line as the Quarry Products Association mounts its Play Safe .

Stay Safe campaign.

Lynda Thompson is the QPA's chairman.

"Our new safety survey shows that 32 per cent of our members' quarries in the South West have experienced trespass problems in the last two years. We know from experience that warm weather is a particular factor in increased levels of trespass by both children and adults," she said.

The new survey of quarry managers also found that whilst the over-25s are the most frequent trespassers, teenage trespass is a bigger concern.

Lynda Thompson added, "The numbers show the extent of the problem and, whilst our members try to engage with the community by visiting schools and youth groups, the support of parents in relaying the Play Safe. Stay Safe message is vital.

"It came as somewhat of a surprise that the over 25's were the most frequent trespassers. We would urge those adults to change their behaviour because children following this example could be exposed to unseen dangers."

The Play Safe.Stay Safe campaign raises awareness of the often unrecognised hazards of trespassing in a typical quarry, which include deep and cold water, sand piles where children could dig tunnels liable to collapse and steep drops.

QPA is particularly concerned about the potential for accidents at disused quarries, which often become beauty spots and attract whole families. Amongst the adults who often ignore the hazards of such sites - and in doing so encourage children - are divers and climbers.