FURIOUS Leyland residents threatened with an eyesore on their doorstep have taken the unprecedented step of making a video of themselves in a bid to get their message across to councillors

They have aired their grievances on film as they step up their campaign to scrap plans to build an international rail freight terminal outside their front doors.

The Wheelton Road Action Group has made its own video tape to persuade South Ribble councillors why they should reject plans for the terminal.

The campaigners visited a similar site in Manchester (pictured above with the freight terminal in the background) and filmed nearby residents who say they suffer continual noise from the shunter trains and moving gantries.

More than 20 videos, letters and leaflets have been distributed to residents and councillors in a bid to stop the plans which will effect residents in Wheelton Road, Mill Street, Golden Hill Lane and in Farington.

Councillor Geoffery Baehren, who lives in MIll Street, has backed the residents. He fears their quality of life will be drastically reduced by the constant noise from the terminal.

One campaigner Christine Harrison said: "The plans for the site will also mean that Centurion Way will be closed which would increase the amount of traffic and pollution on Wheelton Lane."

And residents have voiced further fears the planned £70 million business park will eventually become a dumping ground for dangerous chemicals.

But a Lancashire Enterprise spokesman said: "No gantries will be used." He added: "The freight terminal will lie more than 685 ft from the houses on Wheelton Road. In Manchester the houses are only 150 ft away."

Councillors will discuss the situation in the next few weeks.

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