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Conclusions
18. Some caution must be exercised in relation to any findings arising from the Survey as the level of returns, when compared with ONS's Business Monitor PA1007, are likely to represent only about 89% and 85% of output for crushed rock and sand and gravel respectively. The influence of the shortfall at a Regional level and how this influences interpretation of the data produced elsewhere can be assessed by the Regional comparisons between both Surveys in Table 2.
19. The Survey also relates to the position at the end of 2005 so this should be taken into account when considering the current position on reserves in particular.
20. Subject to such interpretations, the main conclusions arising from the Survey are:
- production levels for aggregates in Scotland has remained fairly constant at around 30-35 mt since 1990.
- the ONS Survey confirmed that output from Scottish quarries in 2005 was 33.5 mt;
- in 2005, crushed rock accounts for 74% of aggregate output. This has risen from 64% since 1990;
- Scotland exported 5.3 million tonnes of crushed rock in 2005. This represents 21.6% of Scottish crushed rock output (based on ONS output total);
- the distribution of aggregates, particularly in the Central Belt, is not confined by Regional boundaries, with East Central Scotland appearing, in particular, to be dependent on supplies from outwith the Region to meet demand;
- returns show that reserves for crushed rock are generally sufficient to meet local demand but, in some regions, sand and gravel reserves fall below a ten year landbank.
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