Taffs Well Quarry
Taffs Well Quarry produces and supplies aggregates for customers directly as well as providing it for our asphalt and concrete businesses, both of which support the wider construction industry with the essential materials needed to build the places where we live, work and play.
Welcome
Welcome to the Taffs Well Quarry community website. Here, you can find out more about the quarry, our onsite operations and our plans for the future of the site. The website is here to share with the community any key updates, events and activity related to the quarry.
We are hosting a public information event on Friday 30 October for residents to find out more about the quarry and have their questions answered by our team of colleagues. We know there are concerns locally, so we wanted to provide an opportunity for you to speak to us directly.
Public information event
Friday 30 October 2026, 10am – 7pm
Gwaelod y Garth Village Hall, Main Rd, Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CF15 9HJ
Ymunwch â thîm Breedon yn ein digwyddiad cyhoeddus sydd ar ddod, ddydd Gwener 30 Hydref. Byddwn yn Neuadd Bentref Gwaelod y Garth (CF15 9HJ) rhwng 10am a 7pm.
Why come to the event?
At the event, you can meet people from various disciplines:
- Communications teamMembers of our communications team will be in attendance to answer your questions and provide information on how you can stay informed.
- Water safetyFind out how we are ensuring that local water sources remain safe.
- PlanningA member of our planning team will be present to discuss current and future planning issues surrounding the site.
- Geotechnical teamMeet the geotechnical team working on-site to find out more about our efforts to ensure the site's suitability.
- Health, safety and wellbeingLearn more about the measures being introduced to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of on-site workers, local residents and the wider community.
- InsuranceWe'll be on hand to listen to our neighbours' concerns, answer any outstanding questions and offer support and guidance wherever we can.
About Taffs Well Quarry
Taffs Well Quarry extracts and processes dolomitic limestone formed around 300–350 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. Operations began in the early 1950s under Steetley, with the site passing through several owners before becoming part of Breedon. We acquired Taffs Well Quarry on 1 August 2020 through acquisition of Cemex assets.
Originally supplying the South Wales steel industry, demand increased in the mid-1990s when the quarry began supplying high-magnesium-oxide dust and Mag Lump to Port Talbot for high-grade steel production. This specialist supply continued until the closure of Port Talbot's blast furnaces.
Today, Taffs Well is an important part of our South Wales operations, supplying customers directly and providing aggregates for our asphalt and concrete businesses. Our products support local infrastructure, from roads and housing to wider construction projects, helping build and maintain communities across South Wales.
How the quarry works
When an area is identified for extraction through the Quarry Development Plan, we work with a specialist blasting contractor to design each blast. A drill rig then drills holes into the rock in a specific pattern and to a set depth in accordance with the design.
On the day of a blast, explosives are loaded into each hole under the supervision of the explosives supervisor and quarry manager. The explosives in the holes are connected using electronic detonators, allowing the blast to be carefully controlled. Before a blast takes place, sentries are positioned to prevent unauthorised access to the designated danger zone, and warning sirens are sounded. Following the blast, the area is inspected to ensure it's safe and that there are no undetonated explosives.
The blasted rock is then ready to be loaded, transported and processed through the crushing plant.
Breedon in the community
Our colleagues
Running the quarry are more than 30 local colleagues across management, production, maintenance and administration, with some having more than 30 years' service. We also support apprenticeships to develop the next generation of local talent.
The team at Taffs Well Quarry has been part of local life for many years. Many colleagues live nearby, and some have worked at the site for more than 30 years. Over that time, they have given their time, equipment and materials to local projects, from improving paths and green spaces to supporting schools and heritage groups.
Some recent examples include:
- Lan coal mine memorial: we supplied and laid around 40 tonnes of stone dust to resurface the pathways around the memorial, creating a space where pupils from the neighbouring school can learn outdoors.
- Gwaelod-y-Garth Primary School: we built a new pond with a solar-powered pump to support the school's environmental learning, and resurfaced a muddy area between classrooms.
- Pentyrch footpath: we provided the people, equipment and materials to build a new footpath at the top of the hill, so pedestrians no longer have to walk on the road.
- Tongwynlais Toll House: we funded a new information sign for the local historical society's project to restore this 19th-century toll house on the Taff Trail.
To find out more about what Breedon is doing in communities across the UK, visit our Breedon in the community page.
30 July: Flooding in Gwaelod-y-Garth
Breedon would like to thank our neighbours for your continued understanding and patience while we have sought to respond to this incident as quickly and effectively as possible.
Our immediate priority remains to support those affected by the incident and ensure practical help is put in place as quickly as possible.
Working with the HSE
We continue to work closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on its investigation into the incident, and with Cardiff City Council to support residents. As the HSE investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us to comment on matters that may fall within its scope.
Alongside this, we are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident to identify any lessons learnt and ensure that appropriate measures are in place to help prevent a recurrence.
We would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while the investigation is ongoing.
Support in place
- Breedon remains in regular contact with affected residents in Heol Berry Road, providing support throughout the recovery process and helping them understand and navigate the insurance process.
- We have continued to support our colleagues on site, prioritising their wellbeing and offering personal support throughout the recovery operation.
If you were affected and require assistance, please contact us at Taffswellenquiries@breedongroup.com or speak to our insurance representatives at the event.
If you believe you have suffered loss or damage as a result of this incident and wish to submit a claim, please forward details of your claim, together with any supporting information, to Forbes:
E: ManchesterInstructions@forbessolicitors.co.uk
T: 0161 918 0017
Site operations
Blasting will resume on site from 4 November 2026. Each blast is carefully designed in collaboration with a specialist blasting contractor and uses electronic detonators to allow precise control. Warning sirens will sound before each blast, and sentries will be positioned to ensure the designated danger zone is clear.
We appreciate your understanding as we manage these operations and continue to communicate with the local community about planned blasting activity.
Blasting
A blast is planned for Wednesday 4 November 2026 between 12:00 and 14:00.
Blasting at Taffs Well Quarry can take place between 10:00 and 16:00 Monday to Friday.
Please note our blast times are approximate and are subject to change due to weather or operational safety requirements.
Operating times
Taffs Well Quarry is permitted to operate from Monday to Friday from 07:00 – 19:00 and Saturday 07:00 – 16:00.
This includes quarry operations such as the primary crusher and HGV movements.
Maintenance is permitted to take place outside of these times.
Get in touch
If you have any questions, please contact us on:
Taffswellenquiries@breedongroup.comInterested in visiting the quarry? We would be delighted to welcome you on a site tour, where you can find out more about the work at Taffs Well. Please email the team to enquire.
Community WhatsApp group
You can also join our community WhatsApp group where updates will be shared on activity at Taffs Well Quarry.
Important: When you join, WhatsApp mutes group notifications by default. Please unmute notifications to ensure you don't miss an update!
