EXPANSION plans for a sewage works have appalled villagers who claim their health could be affected and their roads clogged with with waste-carrying lorries.

Southern Water revealed its proposals to close its Tonbridge treatment centre and transfer operations to its works at Bull Lane, Aylesford, at a meeting with Tonbridge and Malling borough councillors.

At the Aylesford treatment works, between Eccles and Aylesford, piles of waste, known as "sludge" or "cake" are already stored in open bays before being transported by lorries through Eccles or spread on nearby fields.

Villagers, who were unaware of the plans until the Kent Messenger contacted them this week, are horrified.

David Clarke, of Cork Street, Eccles, said: "If the saying is true, that you are what you eat, I dread to think what we shall all be eating in the future if the expansion goes ahead."

He was concerned that residents' health and wellbeing could be jeopardised if the area became a spreading ground for waste. "Let Southern Water have their cake and eat it - not us," added Mr Clarke.

Residents are also worried Eccles will suffer an increase in traffic as a result of more lorries transporting waste to the treatment works via Bull Lane.

Aylesford parish councillor David Stokes said the area lacked the infrastructure to cope with the expansion.

"We have enough vehicles going through the village already," he stressed. "The people of Eccles have lost patience with the traffic and this will stretch their good nature to impossible lengths."

Southern Water spokeswoman Paula Jackman, said: "Southern Water is aware of the sensitivity of traffic movements through Eccles. The company will therefore be looking at ways to mitigate any increase in the number of lorries importing sludge to the site.

"As we further design the scheme, we will continue our discussions with the relevant parties and, as always, will meet all the requirements of the planning process."

A Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council spokeswoman said: "Whilst Southern Water does not require the council's permission to transport sludge to Aylesford, the council would want to ensure that the site is properly capable of dealing with any increase and that all proper environmental safeguards are in place," she said.

Southern Water is due to submit a planning application for the expansion by the middle of next year.

If successful, it is unlikely that any new site would built before 2008.