An eagerly awaited new asphalt plant was recently officially opened at Wight Building Materials’ owned Blackwater Quarry in St George’s Down, Isle of Wight.
Officially opened by Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner, the €4.38 million (£3.5 million) state-of-the-art low emissions plant will produce quality, high performance products and innovative long-term sustainable solutions for the Island’s public and private highways network. The asphalt produced from the plant will service the needs of a 25-year PFI (Public Finance Initiative), whilst also supplying asphalt for a variety of exciting projects across the island.
With permission to produce 24/7 when required, the new plant has doubled the hourly capacity of the old plant. Also within the site, there is a recycling facility which will allow Wight Building Materials, an
Turner said, “The original location proposed for this apshalt plant was on the banks of Medina. That suggestion was very controversial and I vigorously opposed it so it is very gracious of Scott [Wardrop from Eurovia] to have invited me to open the new plant today. Whatever differences there were are behind us and I'm pleased that eventually the right solution was found. It was important we reached this point because this plant is absolutely vital to the future success of the PFI."
Philippe Frenay, Wight Building Materials Board Member, said, “This plant will play an important part in the local economy, employing 40 people on site and providing plenty of opportunities down the supply chain.”
Simon Willis, Chairman of Wight Building Materials, said, “Wight Building Materials now has a modern, low emission plant capable of providing quality, high performance products to meet the needs of our customers.”
