HOUSE proud families have threatened to block a development site entrance near their homes.

People in Wigan Road, Atherton, claim their lives are being made a misery by lorries spreading dirt from the Gibfield site.

They say the state of the road is horrendous and the area is a disgrace, but contractors Lynx Euro Management Ltd of Wigan, responsible for landscaping the area, have called for patience.

Mrs Sue Grundy said: "I am at the end of my tether with all the muck and mud splashing over the garden wall, footpaths, cars and road. I am sick and tired of complaining, the area has never been such a mess

"Dirt is everywhere and spreads through the house every time someone comes in. What we want is a promise that the area is going to be kept clean and that the contractors will wash the roads on a regular basis.

"We have threatened to park across the entrance as a protest to stop the wagons until something is done."

A neighbour, pensioner John Bullough, said: "The area is an absolute disgrace. The roads are dangerous and slippery. We have been here for over 30 years but for the last few we have had nothing but upset. My wife is an houseproud woman and all the muck is getting her down.

"Wagons are coming past every few minutes from 7am to 5pm and the houses are filthy. Since the new pipeline was laid five years ago our lives have been a misery.

"I have wanted to paint outside the house but it would be a waste of time, when it's wet the road is slippery and slimy and when it's dry dust flies like in the Sahara."

Lynx director Robin Arnold said: "We would appeal to residents to be patient. We have washed cars, paths and pavements in the area. The main contractor Mowlam should have left in June but we hope they will have left the site by the end of the week.

"Once they have moved their heavy machinery we will be able to tarmac the site entrance and we have already started to divert all HGVs away from the houses and along Atherleigh Way.

"There is also a wheel spinner going in this week which will ensure the wheels of any vehicles leaving will be clean."