New asphalt plant opens on the Isle of Wight

Wight Building Materials has officially opened a new asphalt plant that will supply the public and private highways network on the Isle of the Wight.

The official opening of the plant, which is a joint venture between Aggregate Industries and Eurovia, took place on Friday (1 August 2014).

Andrew Turner MP opened the £3.5 million new state-of-the-art low emissions plant which will produce quality, high performance products and innovative long term sustainable solutions for the Island’s public and private roads.

Not only will the asphalt produced from this plant service the needs of the 25 year PFI but it will also supply asphalt for a variety of projects across the Island. It has also allowed the firm to secure the future of this site and the jobs for employees at St George’s Down.

The plant has permission to produce 24/7 if there is a need and within the site there is a recycling facility which will allow the company to maximise the use of planings and therefore minimise the use of virgin aggregates within the asphalt to reduce imports on to the island.

Andrew Turner, MP for the Isle of Wight, said: "The original location proposed for this apshalt plant was on the banks of Medina. That suggestion was very controversial and I vigorously opposed it so it is very gracious of Scott [Wardrop from Eurovia] to have invited me to open the new plant today. Whatever differences are behind us and I'm pleased that eventually, the right solution was found. It was important we reached this point because this plant is absolutely vital to the future success of the PFI."

Philippe Frenay, Wight Building Materials board member, said: “This plant will play an important part in the local economy, employing 40 people on site and providing plenty of opportunities down the supply chain.”

Simon Willis, chairman of Wight Building Materials, added: “Wight Building Materials now has a modern, low emission plant capable of providing quality, high performance products to meet the needs of our customers.”