COUNTY highways chiefs have agreed to carry out tests on roads which are said to be crumbling under heavy traffic using a Hyndburn tip.

Residents in Clayton-le-Moors, Altham and Huncoat have complained about the dangers of big wagons which drive to the Whinney Hill tip through residential areas.

Some Hyndburn councillors are campaigning for a by-pass to take heavy lorries off residential streets.

Ward councillor Dave Parkins said: "A lot of the councillors and residents are concerned about the amount of heavy traffic. Some of the roads are cracking up and sinking and keep having to be repaired.

"Lorries are coming through Huncoat at 5.30am and people can't sleep because of the noise. There are wagons coming from as far as Merseyside and Manchester to use the tip."

Hyndburn Council's head of consultancy services, David Allonby, has arranged for county highways experts to carry out tests on the roads.

The experts will look at potholes and other damage and use a computerised vehicle to work out how strong the roads are.

Councillors want a Huncoat by-pass road which would link the north-east side of the tip with the A56, close to its junction with the M65.

Hyndburn Council is fighting Lancashire County Council's plans to increase tipping and extend opening hours at Whinney Hill quarry and expand the site.

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