PLANS to build a massive sand and gravel quarry, potentially putting 120 more lorries every day onto a notorious stretch of road, could lead to more accidents, it was claimed last night.

PLANS to build a massive sand and gravel quarry, potentially putting 120 more lorries every day onto a notorious stretch of road, could lead to more accidents, it was claimed last night.

Neighbouring parish councils, villagers and councillors have joined forces to fight the plans for the 38-hectare site in Chilton, near Sudbury - claiming the current road infrastructure would not cope.

And they have been left fearing that the accident record on the A134 would worsen if the plans are given the go-ahead by Suffolk County Council.

The warnings come little more than a week before residents will be able to scrutinise the plans at a public exhibition in neighbouring Great Waldingfield.

“It doesn't matter what we are being told - with that number of heavy lorries, there is going to be a problem,” said Vince Humphries, chairman of Great Waldingfield Parish Council.

“It is already a really dangerous location and it is my belief that this is going to cause more accidents.”

The plans announced earlier this year would see a million tonnes of sand and gravel dug up and an estimated 122 20-tonne lorry movements every day.

The site is one of many under public consultation and is included in Suffolk County Council's minerals local plan from 1999 as well as a draft replacement plan currently in its early stages.

Waldingfield district councillor Colin Spence said: “This development would put tremendous pressure on all the local roads and there is a lot of concern about it.

“There have been a number of fatalities along the A134 and it has become an accident blackspot. There has to be proper assessments carried out and I know the public feel that the roads wouldn't be able to cope.”

Now residents will get a chance to look at the plans and grill bosses at a public exhibition at Great Waldingfield Village Hall on November 29 between 9am and 9pm.

A spokesman for Brett Aggregates, the firm behind the bid, said: “We would urge anyone with concerns to come along to the exhibition so we can try and address them and answer any problems.

“The exhibition will include our plans to cope with access to the site and we will be on hand to talk to people about this.”

Adam Nicholls, the county council's minerals manager, said the authority was currently only looking at sites in principle at this stage.