This was a pre-Bristol Meetup mooch with @END-PROC, @Seffy and @WhoDaresWins. Coming from the local area we all know about the old cement plant - for years the chimney would be puffing out grey smoke every morning and I know lots of people who were employed there so it was nice to go in for a look around.
History (Ganked from the interwebs)
The cement works were opened by Blue Circle in 1962 with a second kiln being added in 1965. In the early 1990s, Blue Circle invested more than £21 million in improving efficiency, safety and environmental performance at the plant, which included a new £2 million central control building.
The fossilised remains of a Jurassic pilosaur were found at the plant’s clay quarry during a joint excavation by Bristol Museum and Bristol University.
In January 2001 Blue Circle announced a £3.1 billion merger with French building materials group, Lafarge, which saw the group become the world’s largest cement company. Soon after the merger the plant began to burn tyres at the plant, which caused uproar among residents in the town who believed the fumes would have a detrimental effect on people’s health.
In October 2003 burning tyres and faulty machinery caused two fires within the space of four days at the factory. One anonymous resident, whose home in Newtown overlooks the cement works, said at the time: “These fires are becoming a regular occurrence rather than a rare incident.” The demise of the plant came swiftly when Lafarge announced it was axing half of its 130 workforce due to 'operational costs and market conditions' in September 2008. Just before Christmas the cement works was forced to recall 2,500 tonnes of cement over fears it contained high levels of a chromium VI, which can cause skin inflammation.
Then on February 5 Lafarge revealed operations at the plant would cease in April with only four members of staff being kept on for security.
Cement still showing the Blue Circle logo.
The "iconic" Westbury chimney - the ladder has been cut off quite high up and there are multiple cameras pointing towards it...just FYI.
History (Ganked from the interwebs)
The cement works were opened by Blue Circle in 1962 with a second kiln being added in 1965. In the early 1990s, Blue Circle invested more than £21 million in improving efficiency, safety and environmental performance at the plant, which included a new £2 million central control building.
The fossilised remains of a Jurassic pilosaur were found at the plant’s clay quarry during a joint excavation by Bristol Museum and Bristol University.
In January 2001 Blue Circle announced a £3.1 billion merger with French building materials group, Lafarge, which saw the group become the world’s largest cement company. Soon after the merger the plant began to burn tyres at the plant, which caused uproar among residents in the town who believed the fumes would have a detrimental effect on people’s health.
In October 2003 burning tyres and faulty machinery caused two fires within the space of four days at the factory. One anonymous resident, whose home in Newtown overlooks the cement works, said at the time: “These fires are becoming a regular occurrence rather than a rare incident.” The demise of the plant came swiftly when Lafarge announced it was axing half of its 130 workforce due to 'operational costs and market conditions' in September 2008. Just before Christmas the cement works was forced to recall 2,500 tonnes of cement over fears it contained high levels of a chromium VI, which can cause skin inflammation.
Then on February 5 Lafarge revealed operations at the plant would cease in April with only four members of staff being kept on for security.
Cement still showing the Blue Circle logo.
The "iconic" Westbury chimney - the ladder has been cut off quite high up and there are multiple cameras pointing towards it...just FYI.
