Policy CS8 mentions the active aggregates quarries at Stancombe near Flax Bourton and Durnford near Long Ashton, both of which are close to the Bristol to Taunton railway line. FOSBR (Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways) suggests that, in order to reduce the environmental impacts of these mineral workings, the Core Strategy and proposed Development Management DPD should consider the feasibility of transporting aggregates quarried at these sites by rail.

Without referring to other policies and reports it is difficult to assess the justification for this policy on the basis of the information provided. There's no mention of road traffic issues and the potentially serious local impacts of heavy aggregates vehicles. there are significant local impacts on Downside Road and Hyatts Wood Road from Freemans Quarry traffic. There are also impacts on A370 villages related to Stancombe Quarry.

Providing some 40% of the West of England's crushed rock could significantly impact on the District's roads, although appropriate assessment at the time of considering new schemes will confirm this. Future Development Management DPD should consider impacts of future mineral developments on strategic road network in terms of staff, removal of aggregates and waste, and construction traffic.

No comments.

Support intended protection of mineral resources, defining of MSAs. Surface coal resource areas should be safeguarded.CS text should refer to general extent of surface coal resource. Key Diagram could show extent of surface coal and other minerals. Appropriate policy criteria needed to encourage the prior extraction of minerals, where practicable, if it is necessary for non-mineral development to take place in MSAs