Debate on quarrying's future

Concrete suggestions to deal with the economic downturn's effects on the quarrying industry will be publicly debated by a panel, at the 5034 University of Derby, England.

The free event for those involved in the industry, students, business people and the public will be held in The Courtroom (Room OL2) at the University's Kedleston Road site in Derby from 6.30pm on Thursday, 1 March. It has been organised by the 2904 Institute of Quarrying's Derbyshire Branch.

Debating the night's subject of The impact of continuing recession on the future of thequarrying industry will be a panel of experts including:Roy Bush, Inspector of Health and Safety for HM Inspector of Quarries.

Peter Barkwill, Chairman of the Institute of Quarrying, and Managing Director of aggregates supplier John 977 Wainwright and Company of Somerset.

Dr Miles Watkins, Director of 1037 Sustainable Construction, 1707 Aggregate Industries Europe.

Andrew Hartley, University of Derby Managing Director for Strategic Developments.

Heather Wheeler, Conservative Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire.

The panel chairman will be Peter Huxtable, Secretary of the 887 British Aggregates Association. Questions can be submitted to the panel on the night before the debate begins, through organisers, or during it.

Joining the audience at the 4th Annual James Cuthbert Memorial Event - named in honour of the long standing contribution made to education about the industry by a late member of the Institute of Quarrying - are expected to be staff and students involved with the University of Derby's own Diplomas in Quarry Technology and Asphalt Technology.

Nigel Morton, programme secretary for the Institute of Quarrying's Derbyshire Branch, said: "With no apparent end in sight to the current economic downturn for the quarrying industry this is a good time to discuss the impact this is having on issues such as health and safety, environmental standards, worker morale, education and future growth."