Quarry signs are vandalised

Tarmac, which owns the Old Callow Quarry between Pontesbury and Minsterley, has put up fences around the site and warning signs to stop illegal entry but vandals keep setting fire to signs or breaking them.

Now the company has teamed up with the local police and parish council to try to stop people gaining access to the quarry, which is currently inactive.

Huw Evans, quarry manager, said: "We are fighting a losing battle and the fences get vandalised and pulled down and set fire to. It is causing a lot of disruption for local residents. We also have a lot of problems with trespassing dog walkers which really should not happen."

Mr Evans said the quarry was not working at the moment but it could be started up at any time.

He said: "It's dangerous. People could fall from a height because it's a quarry.

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"We want to inform people it's private property and they should not be there. We have put signs up saying trespassers will be prosecuted but they keep getting stolen and disappearing.

"It's a disregard for people's safety. We, as a company, are trying to put across this could be a dangerous place but people are ignoring us. We have written to the parish council to enlist its support."

Mr Evans said the path around the quarry was a public path and people were interested in seeing the Roman fort there. He added: "There's public access outside the quarry boundary but people go in and have a look at the quarry too."

Constable Mike Dulson, from the policing unit in Pontesbury, said: "We have a key to the site and we monitor it."

He added: "There's never been any serious injuries there."

Earlier this year, police issued warnings about youngsters riding mini-motorbikes in the quarry but this appears to have stopped.

Anyone seeing vandalism there can call police on 08457 444888 or the quarry on (01743) 873311.

By Rebecca Lawrence