A petition has been started to stop lorries from a quarry making resident's lives hell.

Almost 100 people have already signed up to protest about Midgeham Cliff End Quarry, in Ryecroft Road, near Harden, which is owned by Skipton Properties.

Olga Barnes, 63, of Saltaire Cottage, Cross Roads, said: "The wagons pick up whatever they pick up and then drive way too fast down our roads.

"It's extremely dangerous, local people can't even walk their dogs anymore.

"The roads around here were not built for the kind of weight carried by these lorries. It's an accident waiting to happen.

"I like living around here but my fear is that when the wagons negotiate around corners in the road, I can see a family in their car getting hit."

She has written letters and e-mails to Bradford Council and contacted various councillors but to little effect.

She said the main problem areas were Glen Lee Lane, Bingley Road and Halifax Road.

The retired textile worker added: "Last week people were queuing up around here to sign the petition -- everyone is angry."

Jill Penny, landlady of the Guide Inn, in Keighley Road, Cullingworth, agreed.

She said: "I think they must be digging to Australia at that quarry.

"They've ruined the roads, it's horrific. My customers have commented on the trucks lots of times.

"How they got planning permission? I do not know.

"We now have dust problems, noise pollution and one lorry has even emptied out its contents at the side of the road."

Parish councillor Ian Shackleton fully supports the protests.

He said: "I live nearby and have two children of my own, so I cringe every time the wagons come down the roads.

"The road isn't wide enough and they are driving too fast -- maybe they're on a bonus. All it takes is a boy racer to cut a corner and there will be a terrible accident.

"I've been writing letters to Bradford Council for two years about this problem but have had no joy."

Cllr Shackleton said the roads would be better if speed and weight restrictions were implemented.

A Bradford Council spokesman said it had looked carefully at the problems caused by traffic from the quarry.

He added: "Due to safety concerns about lorries turning into Hill End Lane, Harden, from Ryecroft Road, we have a voluntary agreement with the quarry operator that vehicles leaving the site turn right to avoid the junction.

"The council cannot prevent heavy goods vehicles accessing the quarry, but we do take residents' concerns seriously.

"Any complaints about excessive speed or noise on the roads in the area will be looked into."

A spokesman for Skipton Properties said: "While we are disappointed that residents feel the need to petition against the quarry, we have operated at the site for some years now without difficulty.

"The nature of the business is that large lorries have to transport the product and we will do all we can to ensure that our drivers act responsibly at all times."