The cement kiln at Lafarge’s Cauldon Works is undergoing a GBP750,000 refurbishment.  Ian Mycock, Cauldon Works manager, says: "We shut down production every year to carry out vital routine maintenance to ensure we can continue to operate to the highest safety, environmental and quality standards. This year the kiln is the key part in the programme."  A crane has been used to remove parts of the roof of the main kiln building enabling Lafarge to replace the middle section of the kiln.  The section is 19m long and 4m in diameter.  The replacement is being transported in four parts from the site where it is being made in north east France.  Lafarge will also replace one of the kiln tyres. The new one is being manufactured in Italy. The shutdown is expected to last for 25 days with more than 200 contractors working on the site.