February restart for flood-hit Ferriby works, UK

Production at Cemex’s South Ferriby works is set to resume in February – two months after the site was forced to close due to floods.

A tidal surge on 5 December 2013 caused the River Humber to burst its banks, sending flood water throughout the village. The South Ferriby works, which stands a few hundred yards from the Humber, was one of the worse hit areas, swamped by millions of litres of water.

Cemex has been committed to getting the 0.75Mta plant up and running again as soon as possible. In the meantime, the company has been able to ensure a continued supply to all its customers since the flooding took place from other UK sources. Temporary offices and welfare facilities in 30 portable buildings have been set up after it was also revealed the most serious damage was caused to the site's electrical network.

Speaking on the clean-up efforts, a Cemex UK spokesperson told local newspaper, The Scunthorpe Telegraph: "The work entailed clearing up the site from the debris and silt deposited by the flood water, drying out buildings and components, and, working closely with our insurers, developing and starting to implement a plan to get the plant back to production as soon as possible."

Cemex UK now is confident that it will be able to restart supply of cement from South Ferriby in February, the spokesperson added.