the local need for aggregates

Aggregates are used to build and maintain our houses, offices, roads, schools and hospitals. They provide a firm foundation for our railways, are used to construct factories, warehouses and shops, and can protect us against flooding.

They are essential materials for the construction industry, an important sector of the economy. Without them the many infrastructure projects, that bring huge benefits to the country, could not be built.

The growth of a modern economy is likely to be directly linked to the quality of its infrastructure. The construction industry is an essential component of this infrastructure provision and aggregates are a vital raw material for this industry.

Therefore an adequate and reliable supply of aggregates is essential.

Aggregates are:

• raw materials for concrete, masonry, asphalt for road surfacing and other building materials
• essential for building and improving road and rail infrastructure, homes, schools, hospitals, leisure facilities, supermarkets and other developments
• sand and gravels (mainly used for concrete uses), building sand (mainly used for mortars and plaster mixes), crushed rock (concrete and fill uses) and recycled aggregates (mainly fill uses)
• on average every person in England creates the need for approximately three tonnes of aggregates each year – just by living their normal daily life