CAMPAIGNING MP Greg Pope today vowed to keep up his battle to get an exit from the M65 to a massive tip in his Hyndburn constituency.

The Labour backbencher spoke out after the government once again refused the move to ease traffic congestion around Clayton-le-Moors from lorries heading to the Whinney Hill landfill site.

The tip is one of the largest in the North West and has planning permission to operate for at least another 40 years. Hundreds of vehicles a day go through Clayton-le-Moors to get there causing congestion, pollution and misery for residents, said Mr Pope.

He continued: "The landfill site is right next to the M65 and the obvious solutions are either to open a dedicated motorway junction for the site or, more realistically, to amend junction 8 to provide access to the site through the disused Huncoat Power Station site, which would also have the benefit of opening up derelict brown field site for industrial development.

"I have just written, again, to Roads Minister David Jamieson urging him to reconsider previous decisions and give permission for junction 8 to be amended.

"He has replied to me refusing this saying: 'There are insurmountable policy objections'. He goes on to say government rules won't allow it as it would only meet local rather than strategic needs.

"I think he is wrong about this as we currently have hundreds of heavy goods vehicles which have travelled long distances on the motorway network leaving the motorway and trundling through towns.

"Ridiculously, they have to drive past the landfill site on the M65 and then go through towns to access the site.

"The campaign goes on and I won't give up on this.

"While the reply from the minister is disappointing, it isn't surprising. I am working closely with Lancashire County Council and campaigners from REACH (Residents of Enfield, Altham, Clayton and Huncoat) to find a solution to the traffic misery."

The county council is currently investigating proposals for the site.