History:
Brett Aggregates was first established in 1909 by Robert Brett. Since it's opening 111 years ago, the company has gone on to operate 25 aggregates sites in the South-East, including Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Surrey, East Sussex, and parts of south and east London. It also operates two asphalt plants in Kent.
Brett set up a marine terminal in Cliffe, with a freight rail link into London, where half of its materials are transported too.
The site at Cliffe which Brett currently operate has previously been owned by numerous other companies, for example, In 1970 the site was taken over by Marinex Gravel, which used the location as a base for receiving gravel which had been dredged from the bed of the Thames nearby.
The freight line which serves Brett first began operating in 1961 when trains were initiated between Cliffe and Uddingston in Glasgow, back when the site was known as Portland Cement Works.
After just a few days of the country being in lockdown, it seems the majority of establishments have seised operating, including the Brett Aggrogets site in Cliffe...
It was in fact a close mate of mine who lives near to the site who gave me the heads up, after noticing the constant rumble of the long conveyor that runs out to the loading pier had stopped, along with the continuous flow of freight trains coming in and out of the site.
So, we took this rare opportunity to explore this classic piece of British industry, and what a great bit of industry it turned out to be. I'd often seen this place running in full vigour whenever I've wandered from Gravesend to Cliffe along the Saxon Shore Way, so it was just a bit surreal to see it so quiet, with all its stationary conveyors and inactive freight trains.
Once we'd made our way across from the footpath and hopped a few fences, we were in, and somewhat taken back by the sheer size of the place up close.
We must've spent over an hour just wandering around and photographing some of the surprisingly rusty machinery, before plucking up the courage to climb the main conveyor to capture a couple of sunset shots.
And so, after a little while longer rattling off a couple more shots, and my mate nearly losing his drone in the exceptionally heavy winds, it was time to call it a day.
Not exactly mission impossible to explore, but I'm highly doubtful the chance will come around again anytime soon to get into this one... well worth the trip
1. The Loading Pier Conveyor
2.
3. The Main Tower
4.
5.
6.
7. All Gravel Still Left
8.
9.
10.
11. Sunset Over The Thames
12. Highest Point Of The Conveyor
13.
14. Looking Across The Site
15. One Of The Stationary Freight Trains
~ Thanks For Looking ~
_________________________________________________________
Brett Aggregates was first established in 1909 by Robert Brett. Since it's opening 111 years ago, the company has gone on to operate 25 aggregates sites in the South-East, including Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Surrey, East Sussex, and parts of south and east London. It also operates two asphalt plants in Kent.
Brett set up a marine terminal in Cliffe, with a freight rail link into London, where half of its materials are transported too.
The site at Cliffe which Brett currently operate has previously been owned by numerous other companies, for example, In 1970 the site was taken over by Marinex Gravel, which used the location as a base for receiving gravel which had been dredged from the bed of the Thames nearby.
The freight line which serves Brett first began operating in 1961 when trains were initiated between Cliffe and Uddingston in Glasgow, back when the site was known as Portland Cement Works.
Brett Marine Aggregates Terminal - April 1988
The Explore:
After just a few days of the country being in lockdown, it seems the majority of establishments have seised operating, including the Brett Aggrogets site in Cliffe...
It was in fact a close mate of mine who lives near to the site who gave me the heads up, after noticing the constant rumble of the long conveyor that runs out to the loading pier had stopped, along with the continuous flow of freight trains coming in and out of the site.
So, we took this rare opportunity to explore this classic piece of British industry, and what a great bit of industry it turned out to be. I'd often seen this place running in full vigour whenever I've wandered from Gravesend to Cliffe along the Saxon Shore Way, so it was just a bit surreal to see it so quiet, with all its stationary conveyors and inactive freight trains.
Once we'd made our way across from the footpath and hopped a few fences, we were in, and somewhat taken back by the sheer size of the place up close.
We must've spent over an hour just wandering around and photographing some of the surprisingly rusty machinery, before plucking up the courage to climb the main conveyor to capture a couple of sunset shots.
And so, after a little while longer rattling off a couple more shots, and my mate nearly losing his drone in the exceptionally heavy winds, it was time to call it a day.
Not exactly mission impossible to explore, but I'm highly doubtful the chance will come around again anytime soon to get into this one... well worth the trip
1. The Loading Pier Conveyor
2.
3. The Main Tower
4.
5.
6.
7. All Gravel Still Left
8.
9.
10.
11. Sunset Over The Thames
12. Highest Point Of The Conveyor
13.
14. Looking Across The Site
15. One Of The Stationary Freight Trains
~ Thanks For Looking ~
_________________________________________________________