Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
 STATUS: RIGS
OTHER DESIGNATIONS:
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Calderdale
OS GRID REF SE 017 162
OS 1:50,000 Landranger 110 Sheffield and Huddersfield
OS 1:25,000 Explorer OL 21 South Pennines
BGS 1:50,000 Sheet 77 Huddersfield (Solid and Drift)
FIRST DESIGNATED by West Yorkshire RIGS Group in 1996
MOST RECENT SURVEY West Yorkshire Geology Trust October 2007
SITE DESCRIPTION
An extensive exposure of Upper Carboniferous Lower Kinderscout Grit is
revealed in a 300m long vertical quarry face. The face shows massive
cross-bedding, which indicate the size of the deltaic rivers in which
the Upper Carboniferous sandstones were deposited.
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS:
There are masons’ marks on the faces and a large tunnel which may
have been excavated to extract the best sandstone, etc. The Huddersfield
and Halifax memoir (details below) 1930 p182 comments on the value of
the Kinderscout Grit for constructional use. It was used for reservoir
embankments, where large blocks of stone were required and was worked
by the Corporation Waterworks Departments when needed.
More recently, the site was used as a batching plant for making concrete
for the M62, so most of it is floored with concrete.
 EDUCATIONAL VALUE:
The geological value is high, as the rocks and structures are clearly
visible. This makes it suitable for primary level upwards. The site
contains a wide range of sedimentary structures with two quarry faces
at right angles to each other. It is an ideal site for sketching and
measuring dip of beds and cross bedding.
AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS:
The quarry has a moorland setting, with steep drops to Booth Wood Reservoir
on the south side.
ACCESS AND SAFETY:
Access is through a gate off the A672 which at the moment is kept locked.
There is a large concreted area in front of the quarry that would provide
plenty of parking. Hard hats should be worn if the quarry face is approached,
although the face seems to be stable at present. The slope to Booth
Wood Reservoir would need to be fenced off, if the site was made more
accessible to the public. It would be possible for it to be made wheelchair
accessible. For some years the quarry had peregrine falcons nesting
each summer and the quarry was opened to the general public, supervised
by the RSPB. The needs of these breeding birds must remain paramount.
At present, the quarry face is used for climbing.
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