Bosses of a Shropshire quarry today said they will be able to resurface roads across the UK for the next 11 years to meet demand after they won approval for an extension to the site despite objections from residents.

Aggregate Industries UK Limited will be able to extract up to 600,000 tonnes of stone each year from the extension south of the existing Haughmond Hill Quarry, near Shrewsbury.

In total bosses expect to be able to take a total of almost three million tonnes of high quality gritstone out of the new area by 2020.

The mineral is highly prized by road builders as it has good anti-skid properties. Much of the material is used on local roads, but some is used in the West Midlands, and stretches of the M1 have also been surfaced using the Shropshire stone.

The firm’s plans for the 3.7 hectares (about nine acres) extension to the quarry were approved by councillors at a meeting of a Shropshire Council committee yesterday – despite concerns and strong objections which were raised by residents.

A spokesman for Aggregate said the firm would now be able to extract as much stone as the industry demanded each year.

But despite the extra production expected, the site will actually cut its operational hours from a 24-hour day to 6am to 8pm Mondays to Fridays and 6am to 1.30pm on Saturdays.

Shrewsbury resident Alan Coles, 69, who has visited the site since he was a child, said he was disappointed with the decision.

He told councillors of his serious concerns about the proposals and had hoped they would reject the plans.

“We are a crowded town and we are growing all the time,” he added.

In response to concerns, Councillor Arthur Walpole recommended that a quarry liaison group be set up so that local residents could discuss any problems or issues with Aggregate managers.

Once the quarry work is completed the site will be converted into a nature reserve, and the pit will be allowed to fill with water.

By Pam Griffin