Villagers fear their quality of life will suffer now proposals which will see hundreds of HGVs transporting gravel from quarries each week have been agreed.

Essex County Council has finalised their replacement minerals local plan, which will see the majority of the county’s gravel extraction concentrated around the Braintree district until 2029.

Four sites in Rivenhall, Rayne, Great Leighs and Little Braxted have all been allocated to excavate sand and gravel.

The plan could see more than 800 HGVs travelling along the A12 and A120 each week.

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.