A COUNTY councillor has given hope to residents campaigning for an alternative entrance to a controversial tip.

Councillor Michael Hindley, member for Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors, and Altham, said the county council could act as a go-between for the various potential funders for a new junction off the M65 leading to the Whinney Hill tip, in Clayton-le-Moors.

Speaking at a meeting of the Huncoat Area Council, attended by about 80 people, including residents from Altham and Clayton-le-Moors, County Coun Hindley said the road could also be used to open up employment opportunities for the former Huncoat Power Station as well as diverting tip traffic off roads through the three villages.

Preston-based waste company Sita has suggested a one-way system at the junction of Henry Street and Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, to carry its wagons to the tip for the next 40 years, but residents are objecting on environmental grounds and because they claim the vibration will affect their homes.

Sita said a new motorway junction could cost £4 million, but the company would be willing to make a contribution to attract other funding.

Coun HIndley said: "There is a specific planning application to us from the developers, which is the one we have to discuss.

"We will try to use the occasion to re-open the question of a wider, more equitable solution to the problem at Whinney Hill, which is primarily one of access.

"The question is sensitive because we are dealing with private sector developers and anything will have to be negotiated with them.

"The county council is not in the position to impose the best solution on that, but we will do everything we can to re-engage the contractors.

Other companies operating on the site are mineral extractors Marshalls, of Halifax, and Bury-based Park Royal

Geoff Wheatman, chairman of REACH -- Residents of Altham, Clayton, and Huncoat --- said: "I think with the sort of interest the county council has, they should be finding a bit of money as well. The way things are going, all the tips in the county are getting full so the council are going to have nowhere else to go. They should be contributing as well."

Another campaigner, Alan Clitheroe, said: "I think a proportion of it should come from local government because it would be a road that would have to be maintained by the county."

Altham ward councillor Miles Parkinson said: " I think a lot of work is being done behind the scenes by officers and the developers to look at other aspects."

A county council spokesman said: "The county council is investigating with the district council opportunities to improve the highways network in the area."