RESIDENTS need a bypass to protect them from the impact of trucks using a rubbish tip, according to councillors.

Hyndburn Council's development services committee is locked in a battle with Lancashire County Council, which wants to increase tipping and extend opening hours at Whinney Hill quarry between Huncoat and Accrington.

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

Members of Hyndburn development services committee claim that wagons from as far away as Merseyside and Manchester are using the site. They are also opposing county council plans to expand the site.

Environmental health officers have reported that dust from the site is affecting the area and truck wheel-washing machines at the tip are not efficient.

One solution offered by ward councillors from Huncoat, Altham, and Clayton-le-Moors is for a new Huncoat by-pass road linking the north-east side of the quarry with the A56. Coun Douglas Deakin said: "Let's put pressure on Lancashire County Council to look into this traffic problem.

"Lancashire Waste Services, who are part owned by the county council, are making quite a lot of money out of this tip. They could at least try and fund this road."

Coun Miles Parkinson said he was concerned about extended opening hours at nearby Enfield Quarry and accused Lancashire County Council of failing to provide answers to residents' concerns.

Coun Cliff Westell said he was concerned about county council proposals to tip so-called "special waste."

Committee chairman Jim Dickinson said the phrase "special waste" did generate worries.

The committee agreed to continue lobbying the county council with their concerns.

They resolved to push for action over the by-pass, the building of which may rely on a developer regenerating the cleared Huncoat Power Station site.

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