§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to promote the development of mineral sidings in English counties to allow bulk haul of aggregates.
§ Mr. YeoThe advice set out in minerals planning guidance note 6 is that rail transport can offer environmental advantages for long haul movements of aggregates. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is able to make grants available under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974 to facilitate the transfer of aggregates traffic from road to rail.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to promote the exploitation of sea-based aggregates.
§ Mr. YeoThe Government policy on the use of marine dredged sand and gravel is set out in minerals planning guidance note 6. This recognises that it has a very important role to play in maintaining supplies of aggregates and, as far as possible, its use should be encouraged.
For some years the Department, with the Crown Estate Office, has funded an ongoing programme of research to assess the availability of offshore sand and gravel resources around the coast of England and Wales. This will continue for some time to come.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to authorities administering building regulations supporting the use of sea-based aggregate.
§ Mr. YeoThere is nothing in the building regulations to discourage the use of sea dredged aggregates provided the guidance in the British Standard BS 882: 1983 (Specification for aggregates from natural sources for concrete) is followed.
Technical guidance about the acceptability of sea dredged aggregates in concrete was issued by the Building Research Establishment in July 1987. My Department has no plans to issue further specific guidance on this to authorities responsible for the administration of building regulations.