Fix fence or tragedy will happen at quarry, say worried residents

That is the view of a worried resident and a councillor in Rowley Regis.

Bosses at Edwin Richards Quarry released a warning to youngsters of the dangers of the site, with security patrols stepped up to deter youths from trespassing.

But John Hadley, 76, who sits on a quarry liaison committee comprised of residents and councillors, said the fence surrounding the site needed to be fixed to stop youngsters accessing it.

Mr Hadley, of Springfield, said: "I'm worried that the fence been like this for years.

"I've been raising it for a long time.

"The fencing is falling apart and it's probably over 50 years old - so it doesn't need much to make it fall apart.

"They're clearly going to have to do something about it.

Bosses at the quarry warned that rocks lie beneath the surface and someone could easily be killed. Fears youngsters were heading to the quarry to take part in the craze of tombstoning - leaping from a cliff or other high point into water - were also raised.

The land has been earmarked for a housing development, with work due to start next year.

In the meantime, the firm behind the proposals says it is taking action to secure the 100,000 sq ft site.

Councillor Maria Crompton also urged called for improvements to the fence.

She said: "It's a big site and I'm sure it's difficult to maintain the fence, but it's the quarry's responsibility to do it.

"Maybe they could do another fence inside the side around the most dangerous parts.

"If people are really determined they will break through a fence anyway, but generally I think young people are less likely to try to get through if the fence is good."

The company refused to provide an updated comment, but last week, site manager at FCC Environment, Ann Earley, said: "Following several incidents of trespass at the Edwin Richards Quarry we have stepped up security patrols.

"We encourage parents and carers to warn their children about the hazards of playing and swimming in unsupervised waters like quarries, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and of the dangers of tombstoning.

"We would like to emphasise that swimming at unsupervised sites like this is very dangerous, as the water is still exceptionally cold and hidden rocks lie just beneath the surface."