signatures to the Environment Minister next week in a desperate bid to stop expansion of the Wilkinson Quarry.

Bermuda Perfumery owner Mr. Colin Curtis started circulating the petition last week.

Only Hamilton Parish residents and workers were invited to sign it. Mr. Curtis said he wanted the Hon. Gerald Simons to know just how many people in the area were opposed to the expansion of the Bailey's Bay quarry.

"It is an appalling thing that will destroy Bermuda for no reason whatsoever and we are vehemently opposed to it,'' he said.

Concerns include: Increased dust, noise and traffic levels, which apart from aggravating area residents, could lead to a devaluation of their homes.

Intrusion onto popular Admiral's Cave and destruction of its underground waterways through blasting and quarrying, which could also present a danger to cave explorers.

Destruction of open space and the environment.

Potential for wind damage in the area of the Perfume Factory.

Mr. Curtis said he also intended to "force the issue'' of Mr. Simons' failure to reply to his September, 1993 letter concerning opposition to the quarry expansion.

He and other opponents, who include cave explorers, conservationists and Ducks Puddle condo owners, are hoping Mr. Simons will revoke the quarry owners' permission to expand.

PLP Environment spokesman and Hamilton East representative Rev. Trevor Woolridge helped Mr. Curtis circulate the petition.

He also organised public meetings to air grievances. More than 100 people attended one of the meetings.

Wilkinson Quarry, operated by Island Quarry whose manager is Mr. Colin Burrows, indicated last year that it planned to go ahead with the expansion when it pointed out a slight inaccuracy in the zoning of the property under the new Development Plan.

The inaccuracy was straightened out in accordance with the Minister's permission after being advertised.

One of the owners' arguments is that there were no objections last summer when the slight zoning change was advertised.

They have also argued that the quarry was in existence long before the area was built up residentially and aggregate would have to be imported if they were not allowed to expand.

They further argued their Planning permission stipulated no section of the quarry should ever come within 130 feet of any building at Ducks Puddle or within 60 feet of Admiral's Cave.

In the mid-'80s, the Development Applications Board had rejected Wilkinson Quarry's application to expand.

But the then Environment Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto granted permission on appeal.