CAMPAIGNING residents have failed to persuade Hyndburn Council to scrap a mini roundabout in Great Harwood.

More than 50 people signed a petition protesting about excessive noise and vibration caused by vehicles driving directly over the roundabout at the junction of Church Street and Park Lane.

But after a noise survey the council environmental services committee turned down the removal plea, unless further evidence is forthcoming.

The petition is being forwarded to Lancashire County Council with a request for the county surveyor to carry out a more extensive survey. The roundabout was paid for by the county council in April last year as part of a traffic calming scheme.

Councillors were told the borough council's survey last month showed noise levels at the roundabout and a site some distance away were almost identical, indicating that any noise generated by vehicles driving over roundabout was offset by a reduction in speed-related noise. Coun David Forshaw said a nearby school had commented on the safety value of the roundabout. "I put a child's life in front of noise pollution any day," he told the meeting.

Much of the wagon traffic is involved in M65 construction deliveries, and unloaded tipper lorries occasionally make loud banging noises, councillors were told.

But such noise was equally caused by vehicles crossing any irregular surfaces.

Council leader George Slynn said he sympathised with objectors because of the abnormal amount of traffic going to and from the motorways by the shortest route.

Problems are expected to reduce when the motorway construction contract finishes in the autumn.

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