A DIRECT motorway link to a controversial Accrington tip took a step closer today after county council bosses agreed to press for the scheme.

Lancashire county councillors agreed to set up a cross-party group to find a solution to pollution caused by the rising numbers of wagons on routes leading to Whinney Hill Tip.

Council deputy leader Doreen Pollitt said the only way to do so would be for the group to get funding for a direct route off the M65 -- a scheme costing £7million.

Despite the cost she said she would pursue every avenue for funding, including looking to get funds from the 2006-2011 Local Transport Plan. The LTP is a system whereby county bosses submit bids for traffic schemes, like the M65 link, to central government who award the money.

She said another another avenue could be from the Deputy Prime Minister's Office after John Prescott detailed £500million for the regeneration of East Lancashire's housing and communities in the Pathfinder scheme.

Tip operators, Preston-based Sita UK Ltd, have promised to fund part of the scheme, but they said they would not pay the full amount.

County Coun Michael Hindley has previously said the road could also open up employment opportunities for the former Huncoat Power Station.

Hyndburn Council has objected to plans from Sita UK for a new access route via Henry Street, off Whalley Road, because the increase of traffic would cause excessive traffic pollution. The plan is to be decided by the county council after a site visit in the summer.