Bradford's traditional quarrying industry could be decimated by "ludicrous'' Government proposals to cut noise levels, operators have warned.

Local firms and trade chiefs believe the plans would spark 3,000 job cuts across Yorkshire - many in the district's rural workforce.

The Quarry Association said if the blueprint is adopted, staff would be forced to keep noise levels below that of public libraries.

The Department of Environment, Transport and Regions consultation paper was met with fury from Bradford operators who branded them as ludicrous and unworkable.

David Weeks, from Hanson Aggregates in Low Moor, said: "We are in the business of taking stone, breaking it into smaller pieces and sorting it. This cannot be done quietly.''

The new regulations would see quarry noise limits fall from 55 decibels to 42 decibels in 2004 with a further 5 decibel cut within five years.

The QPA said the typical noise level for a public library was 40 decibels. It added that a three decibel reduction from 55 decibels would mean halving the noise level.

Mr Weeks said: "Somebody somewhere has dreamt up this figure who clearly has not got a grasp of the practical situation.''

The industry had already spent large amounts of money in cutting sound pollution with measures such as low noise engines and boxed machinery, he said.

"The communities are more concerned about dust generation and lorry movements than noise. If these rules were applied to farming or forestry, they would not be able to start up a tractor or chainsaw."

He said he was confident the proposals would not become policy but added: "If they do we are all out of a job.''

Cedric Gillson, managing director at Dennis Gillson & Son Quarries in Haworth, said: "This is a ludicrous proposal and there is no doubt it will cost a hell of a lot of jobs. There are aspects of the job where noise cannot be avoided.''

Coral Whittlestone, the firm's administrative head said: "Quarries are located in rural areas and there are no houses close to them. The Government doesn't understand the impact this would have on other industries such as construction and road building. ''

QPA director general Simon van der Byl said: "If the Government presses ahead we will be unable to supply our customers in the construction industry and elsewhere. Forty thousand jobs, mainly in rural areas, will be lost.''