Asbestos dumped in quarry

Somerset Quarry Out of Bounds Because of Potential Asbestos Hazard

Simon Carpenter, an amateur palaeontologist from Frome has contacted the blog to warn people against visiting Stowey Quarry, near Bishop Sutton, Bath and North East Somerset (ST 597586) because it is suspected that the landfill operator at this former quarry has been dumping asbestos at the site. There is an ongoing criminal investigation involving the Environment Agency.

Before the landfill operator took over the site, it was a working quarry providing building stone and aggregate for the construction industry. The rock layers span the Triassic-Jurassic boundary and was first described by Desmond Donovan in 1956 (Proc. Geol. Assoc. Vol. 66 pp191-192). It had been one of the best inland exposures of these rocks anywhere in the southwest and was a popular destination for geology groups.  

The asbestos contamination is likely to prevent any future visits – so please let others know.  Although the landfill operation has finished, the site is not very secure and it is possible to enter the site without being aware of the dangers.  Under no circumstances should anyone visit the site.