Residents Ignored as Hazardous Quarry Dust Covers Kingsteignton Roads

Children and families at risk

The footage shows roads coated in ball clay dust at a crossing point used by the public every day. HSE guidance states that ball clay dust contains respirable crystalline silica, which is linked to silicosis, asthma and lung cancer.

Like asbestos, the health effects of silica dust exposure can build over time. Repeated exposure increases the risk of serious long-term harm.

This is why residents are so alarmed. Children and families should not have to walk, cycle and cross roads through dust from industrial quarry operations.

The situation also raises a wider question. If Sibelco cannot properly control dust from its existing operations, how can it possibly justify expanding further, bringing quarrying even closer to homes and destroying the last large broadleaf woodland in our area?

After six months of complaints, this issue can no longer be ignored.

Take action

1) Email Martin Wrigley - martin.wrigley.mp@parliament.uk

Ask him to intervene and demand immediate dust monitoring and enforcement

2) Raise an official complaint on the Teingbridge Dust Complaints Form here:

https://teignbridgedc-self.achieveservice.com/service/Report_nuisance

SUGGESTED EMAIL TO MARTIN WRIGLEY:

Dear Martin,

I am writing to raise a serious public health concern regarding dust from Sibelco’s quarry operations in Kingsteignton.

This short video shows visible dust on public roads and at a busy crossing used daily by children, families, pedestrians and cyclists:

https://youtu.be/JY7NbJ2etVY

This is direct, observable evidence of dust affecting public space. The concern is not limited to whether a specific planning condition has been breached, but whether current controls are working in practice and whether there is adequate independent monitoring of dust in areas used by the public.

HSE guidance states that ball clay dust can contain respirable crystalline silica, which is linked to silicosis, asthma and lung cancer. Repeated exposure can cause cumulative long-term harm.

Residents have been raising concerns about this since last summer without a clear public response. This should not require residents to prove a technical breach before action is taken.

I am therefore asking you to take this forward by engaging with Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council to ensure that:

• independent dust monitoring is carried out in the affected area

• the real-world effectiveness of current dust control measures is assessed

• any failure to prevent dust reaching public roads and crossings is addressed

• a clear and transparent public response is provided

This is a matter of public health in shared spaces, not just a narrow planning issue.

Please confirm what steps you will now take to ensure this is properly investigated and addressed.

Yours sincerely,

[Name]
[Postcode]

SUGGESTED TEXT TO PASTE INTO DUST FORM:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am making a formal complaint about dust from Sibelco’s quarry operations in Kingsteignton.

Please watch this short video: https://youtu.be/JY7NbJ2etVY

The video shows dust on public roads and at a crossing used by children, families, pedestrians and cyclists. This is not only a matter of dust affecting one private home. It is a wider public health and environmental concern affecting shared public space.

HSE guidance states that ball clay dust can contain respirable crystalline silica, which is linked to silicosis, asthma and lung cancer. Like asbestos, repeated exposure can cause cumulative long-term harm.

Please confirm receipt of this complaint, provide a complaint reference number, and explain what immediate action will now be taken, including dust monitoring and enforcement if appropriate.

Yours faithfully,

[Name] 

Key references

[1] Health and Safety Executive - COSHH Essentials in Quarries: Silica for quarry managers