RESIDENTS and councillors who have spent years demanding action over the landfill site in Huncoat have welcomed a new independent study.

The study, due to be published in September, looks into problems surrounding the Whinney Hill tip, following complaints of traffic problems plaguing the area.

In the past suggestions have been made to take some of the heavy traffic away from the area, including a Huncoat bypass and even an extra motorway junction off the M65.

County councillor Jean Battle, who represents Church and Accrington North, said: "The Whinney Hill tip area does have major problems.

"It will be interesting to see what the report says, and I just hope we can solve the problems and get a new access route."

The report, organised by campaigners, working with the county council and local council, is being carried out by North West independent consultants, GVA Grimley. A meeting will then be called so campaigners and councillors can decide the next step.

Coun Doreen Pollitt, deputy leader of the county council and Accrington Central representative, said: "It's looking at air pollution and traffic and what it means to the residents of areas like Huncoat, Altham and Whalley Road. It takes in quite a few areas of Hyndburn and will be looking at smells and things like that.

"It will also look at who is actually using that particular land fill site. We know there are people coming from Manchester, Liverpool and Bradford."

The landfill site, run by SITA, is estimated to have almost another 40 years of life. The study is expected to suggest what can be done to sort out some of the traffic problems.

SITA confirmed consultants had been on the site for the study, but nobody was available for comment.