Sunday, February 14, 2021

Underwood Quarry

Dexbot: Bot: Aligning section names with MOS:SECTIONS


[[File:Underwood Quarry - geograph.org.uk - 94647.jpg|thumb|Underwood Quarry - geograph.org.uk - 94647]]'''Underwood Quarry''' is a former quarry near [[Wells, Somerset]] on the southern edge of the [[Mendip Hills]] that produced [[Carboniferous Limestone]]. The rock was described as having very little faulting and a consistent nature, and as being ideal for road making and maintenance.<ref name="WJ1950" />

==History==
The quarry was opened during the [[First World War]] by the Wells Stone Company who leased the land from [[Henry Brougham, 3rd Baron Brougham and Vaux|Lord Brougham and Vaux]].<ref name=WJ1932A>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2)</ref> In 1919 the 12 acre site and plant was sub-leased by the [[Somerset County Council]] to support their road building and maintenance activities, paying a royalty to Wells Stone for the rock extracted.<ref name="WJ1950" />

In 1922 the Somerset County Council opened their Wookey Stone Sidings on the [[Cheddar Valley line|Cheddar Valley railway line]] to serve the quarry. Stone was carried by means of an aerial ropeway to the sidings. The ropeway became redundant in 1936 and was dismantled in 1948. Some 350,000 tons were transported by the ropeway. The site was purchased by the council in 1932 and by 1939 they controlled 100 acres of surrounding land. By 1948 the quarry face had extended to a length of 900 feet and was 110 feet deep. To provide work during times when it was too wet for quarry operations, a precast concrete plant was established.<ref name=WJ1950>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2)</ref><ref></ref> In 1932 the quarry employed 118 men.<ref name=WJ1932>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2)</ref> In 1971 the quarry was producing a quarter million tons of stone per annum.<ref name=WJ1971>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2)</ref>

==Central Repair Depot==
The Council sited its Central Repair Depot at the quarry. As well as looking after quarry plant, it was also responsible for all of the county vehicles. Initially this was [[steam roller]]s and [[steam wagon]]s, but by 1950 the fleet included 371 highways vehicles, 249 fire brigade vehicles, 75 school meals vans and 70 ambulances.<ref name="WJ1950" />

==Thales Underwood Quarry Range==
After the quarry closed, [[Thales UK]] operated a [[radar signature]] measurement range for the evaluation of radar signatures of large targets. Capabilities included turntables capable of handling loads up to 75 tonnes, a retractable pylon up to to 0.675 tonne and an overhead suspension cable for targets up to 50kg. The range was described as 200 metres wide and 50 metres deep and offered very low external [[electrical noise]] interference levels.<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2)</ref>

==References==


==Further reading==
*[https://ift.tt/3pl5pkX Aerial photo taken in 1934] showing the aerial ropeway, steam rollers, steam wagons and precast concrete pipes.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2u01F1opBE Drone footage of the quarry in 2017]





[[Category:Quarries in the Mendip Hills]]


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