A HEATED debate over a HGV ban in Burtonwood and Winwick has sparked vows of protest action.

Members of the borough council's traffic committee met last week to discuss a proposed order to ban lorries in parts of the two villages, covering Collins Green Lane, Lumber Lane, Hall Lane, Fir Tree Lane, Alder Lane, Alder Root Lane, Watery Lane, Mill Lane, Hollins Lane and Delph Lane.

The order, which was approved, means any lorry over 7.5 tonnes would not be allowed to use the roads unless it was making a delivery within the restricted area.

In an often-heated debate, residents both for and against the order put their cases to councillors at last week's meeting.

People living in the areas covered by the order - which has been operating temporarily in various forms for the past five years - reported an increase in road safety and a decrease in noise and congestion and welcomed a permanent order.

But objectors, who hailed mainly from Penkford Lane, protested strongly against the proposed order, claiming it had caused an increase in traffic along the lane.

A traffic study backed up this fact and Les Kay, who lives on Penkford Lane in neighbouring Collins Green, said: "We will fight the ban.

"It's always Burtonwood which benefits - Collins Green is being shut out.

"It's like a fortress is being built around Burtonwood but nothing is being done to help us.

"We've had five gas leaks because of the HGVs mounting the pavement and damaging the mains.

"The damage to our properties is costing thousands of pounds.

"We were told that the road surface isn't suitable for this type of heavy traffic because of its foundations."

And traffic officers told councillors their concerns were valid, based on a 'before and after' study which found that traffic flows on the lane had increased by seven vehicles per hour.

Mr Kay vowed to take protest action against the order, the nature of which was not known as the Guardian went to press.

Bosses at Burtonwood Brewery have also objected, claiming that the temporary ban had forced delivery vehicles to be re-routed which had put annual running costs up by £6,000.

Similar lorry bans have also been the subject of protests from traffic bosses in neighbouring St Helens in the past, who claim the problem is then diverted onto their roads.