Hansons is the company in charge of Wykeham Pit, although the reality is that it extends mostly into the southern flank of West Ayton. They quarry for sand and shale for recently (Nov 2012) NYCC agreed to a proposal whereby they can quarry a further 4.5 million tonnes over the next 20 years. Thats a massive undertaking and involves the selling off of considerable amounts of land currently in agricultural use. Water levels will have to be recharged during that time as the holes in the ground expand, Hansons recognises the geological and archaeological importance of the area and has helped beautify it as in the Wykeham Lakes project. They are to fund a PhD student who will oversee the area which has evidence of Iron Age and Roman settlements. Who knows what could be unearthed in the years ahead? Take a cycle ride along the gated track from Darrell Low Hall farm and there are viewpoints along the way where you can see just how big the project is and will become.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:44:48 +0000
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