Bespoke acoustic barrier for quarry

A major UK aggregates supplier continues to play a vital role in supporting national construction and infrastructure development through its active sand and gravel extraction site. The quarry contributes to essential regional and national supply chains, delivering around 1.4 million tonnes of aggregate annually for use in drainage works, rail improvements, highway construction, and wider building programmes.

In June 2025, the operator secured approval for a 29‑hectare extension to the existing site. The additional area is expected to yield a further 2.8 million tonnes of material over the following three years, extending the quarry’s operational life to 2028/29 and safeguarding supply for critical infrastructure projects across the UK.

Planning conditions for the extension included stringent noise mitigation requirements to protect neighbouring land, local ecological habitats, and nearby communities. This involved the installation of high performance acoustic barriers along the northern, north‑western, and north‑eastern boundaries of the quarry.

The site’s location within the flood‑sensitive Trent Valley presented an added technical challenge. Any boundary solution needed to remain fixed in place while allowing floodwater to pass freely, preventing increased flood risk, changes to natural water flow patterns, or potential structural issues. The approved scheme specified acoustic fencing between 2.5 and 4.5 metres in height, but unlike standard barriers, it could not form a continuous sealed line at ground level. A traditional solid base would have obstructed water movement, conflicting with both environmental and planning requirements.

Standard acoustic fence systems were therefore unsuitable. The project required a purpose‑designed solution that could deliver effective noise reduction while accommodating complex environmental constraints.

Jacksons Fencing was selected for the scheme owing to its long‑standing expertise in engineering durable, high performance acoustic barriers for quarries and other challenging industrial sites. Working closely to the project’s technical parameters, the company supplied a bespoke acoustic barrier system designed specifically for the quarry’s operational and environmental context. The final solution comprised a robust fence line ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 metres in height.

A key innovation within the design was the introduction of specially engineered ‘flap boards’ positioned along the lower edge of the barrier. These components were developed to maintain the fence’s acoustic performance while allowing floodwater to move beneath the structure during high water events, ensuring compliance with flood‑risk requirements without compromising the integrity of the noise control system.