Local MSP Claire Baker has today added her voice to calls from the leader of Fife Council, Alex Rowley, for an independent review into blasts at Lomond Quarry. The quarry, owned by Skene Group, uses explosives to extract hard volcanic rock dolerite. However there are reports that the blasts are being felt by local Leslie residents.

Mrs Baker has been working with local residents, including Lomond Quarry action group, in trying to find a solution for some time and feels an independent review is now the ‘next logical step’.

The Lomond Quarry action group has been regularly monitoring the blasts since March of this year by measuring the seismic blast activity at Paterson Park. [1] The limit set in regulations for Lomond Quarry is 6mm however the group has twice measured the blasts at 7.37mm and 12.7mm in the past two months.

Issues raised by locals resulting from these blasts have included cracks appearing in the walls of homes, buildings shaking and an impact on the valuation of houses in the area. There have also been claims that lorries are travelling through the area, to and from the quarry, at 6am in direct violation of planning permission.

Claire Baker MSP said:

“I have been following concerns on Lomond Quarry blasts for some time and have raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament. I was dissatisfied with replies from the Scottish Government as I have been with the response of Fife Council. I am pleased that the new Labour administration are prepared to ask some serious questions about how decisions were made and the impact these are having on residents.

“An independent review is the next logical step in trying to reach a solution. Questions have to be answered such as why are blasts being measured over the regulated limit and over issues such as the operating times of and the disruption this causes for residents.

“For too long residents feel that Fife Council have not been addressing their concerns and it is important that the views of local residents along with Skene Group are heard. I have written to Fife Council’s Chief Executive Ronnie Hinds supporting calls for an investigation as it seems now that only an independent review can help ensure an amicable and satisfactory conclusion.”