Plans for a new Bermuda slate quarry could not come at a better time with scores of Bermuda homes requiring repair after the devastation of Hurricane Fabian.

A shortage of the traditional roofing material for Bermuda buildings has left property owners in dire straits following Friday's storm. But now Bermuda's slate supply will get a much needed boost with word yesterday that quarrying at a new site could get underway this week.

David Summers, president of Bermuda-Caribbean Engineering Consultants, told The Royal Gazette that plans to cut - or win, as the process is technically called - slate at a large site being prepared for development were set to go ahead as early as this week.

And he predicted that quarrying of the site could mean a large enough supply of slate to meet the needs of the local market over the next five to ten years.

Mr. Summers also stressed that the owners of the site are insisting that the slate be sold at the market rate of $3 per piece of slate. That will be good news for property owners in need of the material after reports of price gouging this week put the cost of slate being charged by some at double the pre-storm market rate. Mr. Summers said: "The owners have chosen to use this method (to clear the site for development) instead of bulk excavation. Slate cutting is a longer process but there is a demonstrated need in Bermuda and the owners are responding to that need."

Planning approval for the project and the green light from the Development Applications Board are already in hand. Mr. Summers said information on where to buy the traditional roofing material for Bermuda buildings, would be announced shortly.