Little Paxton quarry urges visitors to use caution on access roads

Little Paxton Quarry, neighbouring the popular Paxton Pits Nature Reserve in Cambridge, east England, is warning visitors of the dangers of wandering off the designated footpaths on to high-traffic access roads.

Owned and operated by 1707 Aggregate Industries, Little Paxton Quarry sits on a site of special scientific interest, next to the Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. The reserve stretches over 78 hectares of lakes, meadows, grassland and woodland, the quarry regularly receives visitors keen to explore the site’s extensive wildlife of birds, insects and flora.

With more and more visitors each year making the most of the Heron Trail, a two-mile wildlife route which crosses the quarry’s access routes at several points, Aggregate Industries is raising concerns about members of the public putting themselves in danger from on-coming traffic while walking on roads used to transport quarry materials.

Matthew Sharpe, quarry operations manager at Aggregate Industries, said: “As one of the region’s most biodiverse areas, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve is home to a number of species of birds, insects and other wildlife and inevitably attracts thousands of visitors each year.

“However, we take the issue of public safety incredibly seriously and would like to warn visitors of the dangers of wandering off the designated footpaths on to high-traffic access roads following a number of incidents in recent years which have raised concerns.

“We’d urge all visitors to stay on the designated footpaths so that they can continue to enjoy the Heron Trail and its many features in the safest manner possible.”