NEIGHBOURS fear the reopening of works at a stone quarry will bring more heavy goods vehicles rumbling along Burnley’s country roads.

Bosses at Greens Stone Products have applied to Lancashire County Council for permission to reopen a section of Twist Hill Quarry in Briercliffe for the next 15 years.

Five experienced stonemasons are currently employed by the firm at Catlow Quarry in Nelson but, at current rates, the stone supply will be exhausted within five years.

But people living nearby are anxious that lorries will be returning to roads just inches away from their properties.

Patrick Taylor, who lives with his wife Eileen at nearby Cockden Lodge, has told the county council: “Our main concern is the increased number of heavy vehicles which will be using Todmorden Road through Cockden.

“This road is not suitable for heavy vehicles due to the close proximity of the existing houses to the road and the narrowness of the road.”

Mr Taylor also said that, when the quarry was last operational three years ago, lorries would drive at ‘excessive speed’ along the route.

But the firm has insisted that only a part of the original quarry would be returned to use under their scheme.

Planning agent John Carlon said: “Even though the economy is depressed the company is managing to maintain markets with riven and sawn flag.

“Twist Hill Quarry will provide a long-term supply for the company and allow a programmed transfer of product to replace the Catlow stone, which will be exhausted in five years.”

Twist Hill has been the site of a sandstone quarry since the 19th century and has been worked, on and off, ever since.