A NEW road system has been proposed as part of plans for a new quarry site.

Should proposals by Thompson’s of Prudhoe be submitted and subsequently approved for a sand and gravel excavation site at Anick Grange Haugh, just outside of Hexham, vehicles will no longer be able to turn right into, or out of, Anick Road, in Hexham.

All vehicles exiting the road, referred to as Ferry Road in literature from Northumberland County Council, would have to turn left over the 18th century Hexham Bridge, before doing a 360-degree turn at the Tyne Green roundabout and heading out of town on the A69.

Those wishing to access Anick Road from the town centre would no longer be able to turn right, and would have to negotiate the Bridge End roundabout on the A69 before turning left at the road’s junction.

The proposals were revealed within the county council’s ‘Aggregate minerals site allocations selection and appraisals’ paper as part of its draft Northumberland Local Plan.

Members of Save Tyne Valley campaign group, who object to plans for the quarry, have raised concerns that the new road system would add to the traffic congestion already experienced by drivers using the A69 roundabout.

Dr John Halliday, the group’s chairman, said: “Drivers are currently managing the Ferry Road junction with sense and courtesy, allowing traffic in and out with minimum fuss.

“The new proposals will add to journey times and cause harm to the environment.

“I cannot see how residents and businesses will benefit from the idea.”

A spokesman for Northumberland County Council reiterated that a planning application for the quarry site, which would see nine million tonnes of sand and gravel excavated from a 90-hectare site, had not yet been submitted and the proposal was only at the pre-application stage.

The spokesman said: “The prospective applicant has applied to the council for pre-planning application advice.

“This advice will include discussions on possible transport options, however, these discussions haven’t taken place yet.”

It is understood any charges associated with changes to the road layout would need to be met by the developer.

The consultation period on the Northumberland Local Plan, which has included drop-in sessions across Tynedale, will end on March 13.