PLANS for gravel extraction at Roeshot Hill will put lives at risk on the road, it has been claimed.

If the proposals go ahead they will lead to an estimated extra 120 lorry movements per day on the A35.

Now fears have been voiced that the increased traffic could lead to more accidents on the already busy road, scene of a fatal crash over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The accident, which claimed the life of an 89-year-old Dorset man, is the latest in a series in recent weeks.

The head-on collision also left one person with multiple injuries, three people with minor injuries and closed a stretch of the busy road for more than six hours.

Six people were injured, including a family of five, in a two-car collision last month, a man was seriously hurt when his car crashed into a tree in July and a woman suffered serious injuries in a two-car collision.

Christchurch councillor Lesley Dedman said: "I am concerned abut the gravel extraction plans because it will add to the traffic. All the lorries will be travelling on the A35 at Roeshot Hill - it is a huge worry."

The proposals are part of a major consultation exercise currently under way in Dorset where residents are being asked their views on quarrying sites as well as waste management.

Residents are being asked what they think of sites to be allocated for quarrying sand, gravel, Purbeck Stone, Portland Stone and ball clay. The sites would provide raw materials to allow the construction industry to continue building projects.

Cllr Colin Jamieson, Cabinet member for economy and growth, said: "Planning for the future needs of Dorset residents is vital for our economic future. Having enough quarries will help create jobs and livelihoods for a successful county."

Residents have until September 23 to express their views and can do so at dorsetforyou.com/mwdf or collect a paper response form from local authority offices.