HOMEOWNERS in Shadsworth Road have written to the council claiming their lives are being made a misery by constant streams of lorries and heavy Traffic.

The residents on the Blackburn road, used as a short cut by many lorry drivers, have also complained about constant noise, pollution and damage to properties.

But the town hall is not planning to introduce traffic restrictions because officials believe the new M65 will help solve the problem.

Residents claim the situation is so bad houses have been crumbling because of the vibrations from the passing HGVs and lorries.

The objectors also claim the situation has been made worse by works traffic taking materials to construction sites along the M65 extension using Shadsworth.

Traffic surveys have revealed about 12,000 vehicles travel along the busy short-cut between Whitebirk and Darwen.

Some 21 people living in 16 houses alongside the Shadsworth Road have signed a petition.

The petitioners are complaining about the

"constant noise, pollution inconvenience and structural damage to properties due to the heavy traffic, a great deal of which is down to large, heavy wagons.

"Cracks have appeared in the stonework and pointing is missing from 75 per cent of houses."

Transport experts estimate traffic will fall by 25 per cent when the new stretch of the M65 is opened this autumn.

The council will hand over all specific complaints about damage to property to the motorway contractors.

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