THE ROLE OF AGGREGATES IN THE UK ECONOMY

UK planning policies tend to assume that, for economic growth to continue, an almost unlimited supply of aggregates and other materials would be needed. This assumption has been given priority over most other considerations, including environment protection. The Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) is unhappy with it and the resulting planning policies, and also wishes to respond to the Government's forthcoming minerals planning review. As a result, it commissioned research to examine the link between gross domestic product (GDP) and aggregate production, both in the past and with respect to likely future trends. This paper presents some of the results of this research, and includes charts presenting some relevant statistics. In the UK, GDP has risen by 18.5% over the last decade, but aggregate demand has fallen by nearly 30%. Aggregate production could continue to decrease. Forecasts, made some years ago, have overestimated actual aggregate use. The observed trends can be explained by changes in the national economy and in the nature of construction, including better efficiency. Recycling and more use of secondary aggregate have reduced demand for primary aggregate. The study shows that, with proper planning policies, a healthy economy can be maintained while aggregate production falls steadily.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03059421
• Corporate Authors:

  QMJ PUBLISHING LTD

  7 REGENT STREET
  NOTTINGHAM,   United Kingdom  NG1 5BS
• Authors:
  • RICHMOND, E
• Publication Date: 2000-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 37-40
• Serial:
  • QUARRY MANAGEMENT
  • Publisher: QMJ PUBLISHING LTD
  • ISSN: 0305-9421

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregates; Demand; Economics; Environmental protection; Federal government; Forecasting; Planning; Policy; Recycling; Research projects; Statistics; Strategic planning; Trend (Statistics)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Growth rate
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 4577: Aggregate; 285: Demand (econ); 255: Economics; 2444: Environment protection; 132: Forecast; 183: Government (national); 265: Growth rate; 143: Planning; 173: Policy; 141: Priority (gen); 4573: Recycling (mater); 8557: Research project; 6555: Statistics; 6515: Trend (stat); 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Economics; Environment; Geotechnology; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00798027
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Sep 8 2000 12:00AM