Kerry quarries hit with higher council levies

AMID claims heavy loads from quarries are damaging roads in Kerry, quarry owners will have to pay increased levies to Kerry County Council.

The owners are unhappy, however, and are threatening to take legal action against the council.

Irish Concrete Federation chief executive John Maguire also warned job losses could result, while some public representatives said the extra charges would be passed on to customers.

Council management had sought a charge of 30 cent per cubic metre, while the quarry owners had offered three cent. The council agreed to charge 15 cent.

FF Cllr John Brassil said he had spoken to leading figures in the industry and they accepted there had to be some sort of levy.

“As long as what we suggest is fair and equitable, there’s no problem,” he added.

Cllr Brendan Cronin (Ind), supporting, referred to damage caused by heavy vehicles to local roads.

Roads engineer Paul Stack said a 30 cent charge would amount to only €750 for every 5,000 tonnes extracted. The extraction of 100,000 tonnes meant 10,000 journeys by heavy lorries.

Meanwhile, the council is due to give a decision next week on a planning application by John A Wood Ltd to open a limestone quarry on a 27-hectare site, at Caheragh, near Castleisland. The site is seen as a replacement for the company’s existing quarry at Ballyegan, on the Castleisland-Tralee road.

There has been strong opposition in Castleisland to the development, with residents voicing concern about possible increased pollution levels and growth in heavy traffic through the town.

However, John A. Wood Ltd said as many as 50 jobs could be at risk if planning permission is refused.