The company’s environmental impact statement shows there would be a maximum of 215 loaded trucks leaving the site each day, with up to 40 departing every hour during the morning. 

But Martins Creek Action Group secretary James Ashton said the figure was misleading.

He said the figure did not take into account the empty trucks that travelled to the quarry to be filled in the morning, or those that returned to be refilled or stored onsite overnight. 

“You have to double the 215 laden trucks and that means we’re looking at a maximum of 430 truck movements between Monday and Saturday,” Mr Ashton said. 

A Daracon spokeswoman said it was standard practice to refer only to the output when stating truck numbers. 

“Daracon is unable to control the movement of vehicles from private customers into the quarry, but can – and will – strictly limit the number of vehicles allowed over the weigh-bridge out of the Quarry in any hour or day,” she said. 

Long-time resident Tom Collins, who has been connected to Paterson for almost four decades, said the town’s main street was not equipped for trucks.He said it was dangerous for motorists to get out of their vehicles when trucks were passing.

“I’m interested in protecting the town, it’s unbelievable a town of that size should have to put up with so many trucks a day,” he said.