THE northern link road moved one step closer this week as Lancaster city councillors approved a blueprint for the route.

Scores of people turned up at Morecambe town hall many donning bright orange Stop the link' t-shirts to show their opposition or support.

Twelve city councillors voted for the road and seven against, with one abstaining.

James Seddon, of Lancaster, told the meeting: "There are many adverse points to be made about the northern route.

"This dual carriageway would divide, or run alongside several residential districts and 1,074 homes would be within 200 metres. Exposure to exhaust, noise, vibration and noise pollution will impact on thousands.

"The road would be a man-made barrier separating Lancaster from Morecambe. The public are entitled to feel badly let down."

He said no formal consultation has taken place since plans were revealed and added: "Following public exhibitions, a county council questionnaire showed 76 per cent opposition to the plan, the county council's only action was to make a modification at Torrisholme which actually increased the height of the road by three metres.

"This is not the plan that the city council resolved to support in August 2004, and for every letter of support for the controversial road, the county has received 57 formal objections."

David Gate, of Torrisholme, told the councillors that traffic numbers will barely change with the road and said even the county council had said that the northern route would not act as a relief road.

He said; " There has been talk of a link road since 1949 and that's the trouble, it is an idea stuck in the past."

He recommended the county to try alternatives such as park and ride or community rail schemes first before building the monster road and added that city councillors only voted for a link on condition there was a new bridge across the river at Luneside.

"County rejected that bridge and it does not feature in any plans. This scheme is very different from the one which city councillors agreed."

County councillor Jean Yates told the meeting: "I'm well aware that the road will not solve all the problems but it will for residents in Heysham who get up at 6.30am to get on the motorway to avoid traffic."

She said that the county also intended introducing an HGV route to make sure that lorries stick to the designated roads.

Coun Cllr Tony Martin, who has responsibility for sustain-able development, said after the meeting: "We are very pleased to receive the support of Lancaster City Council for the northern route and we believe it helps our cause."