DISMAY has been expressed by villagers that the A143 has been earmarked for traffic to a controversial quarry if its opening is approved.Residents in St Olaves and Fritton voiced their opposition to the recommendation from transport bosses that the Great Yarmouth-Beccles trunk road could be used by traffic to the quarry site in Waveney Forest.

DISMAY has been expressed by villagers that the A143 has been earmarked for traffic to a controversial quarry if its opening is approved.

Residents in St Olaves and Fritton voiced their opposition to the recommendation from transport bosses that the Great Yarmouth-Beccles trunk road could be used by traffic to the quarry site in Waveney Forest.

The two villages have been fighting off a proposal to turn 326 acres of the forest into a mineral pit the last 18months.

Norfolk County Council declared the site unacceptable, but an eight week consultation is taking place for people to comment on the decision.

Fears has also been raised that not enough time has been given for residents to respond to an online consultation following the council's verdict that the site was not suitable for quarrying.

A petition opposing the extraction of minerals on the woodland site was signed by 20,000 people.

Parish council chairman Keith Nunn said: “Villagers felt that any local resident would say that this road is congested and serious blockages and delays occur at Bradwell and all the way to the Pastuer roundabout.

“Fritton and Haddiscoe both have very tight and dangerous bends and the traffic moves in convoys due to the bridge traffic lights often backing up to the Lowestoft Road. Accidents happen continuously on the Haddiscoe Dam and so many bumps occur that are not recorded.

“There are only about ten days of the consultation left and we fear that they may be leaving it to the last minute, which will give us very little time to respond again.

“At the county council cabinet meeting it was said that the remaining approved sites with some of the new ones could provide the necessary target minerals without the unacceptable sites - it seems illogical to affront 20,000 petitioners and villagers by allowing further consideration of this project.”

Comments on the consultancy should be sent to Norfolk Minerals and Waste Planning Department, Norfolk County Council Martineau Lane Norwich NR12SG before Friday, December 11.