PLANS for a £7.83 million waste transfer station have been approved despite serious concerns over traffic, noise, smells and vermin.

The council's executive board unanimously approved plans for the new facility, on Winwick Road between the Shell petrol station and access road to Winwick Road Skip Hire, on Monday.

In addition to the cost savings associated with reduced mileage, the authority confirmed there would be a reduction in carbon emissions of approximately 123 tonnes per year.

Cllr Mike Hannon (LAB – Orford) called for the paper to be withdrawn from the executive board meeting until 'highway problems' were resolved.

The former deputy council leader said: "We are talking about around 100 HGVs a day entering and exiting this site with no major improvements to the A49 junction, which is without doubt already the busiest in Warrington.

"Every one of these 100 vehicles will have to do a 'U'-turn on either entering or exiting at some stage on the A49.

"This is a highway danger. The only alteration is to splay the exit onto the A49. Totally insufficient."

Warrington North MP Helen Jones believes the location of the site will lead to 'significant traffic problems'.

She said: "In addition, the answers I have received about possible increased noise and smells from the site have not been reassuring.

"No guarantees are being given at this stage.

"It seems to me that the council are seeking to approve this venture before we have answers to the questions many residents are asking.

"Quite often, in these cases, the reassurances given about traffic, noise, smells and vermin before a site becomes operational do not live up to the reality of the situation when the site is up and running.

"Residents deserve to have definitive answers before any final decision is made."

A council spokesman said 'traffic assessments have shown that the worst case scenario for the extra traffic at the site would be an increase of less than one per cent'.

He added: "So – in this worst case scenario – each journey on Winwick road would be delayed by less than a second.

"The site operator would be required to implement an environmental management system, which among other measures would control odour, litter and potential to attract pests.

"Waste would not be stored at the site for long periods."

Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive board member for the environment, said 'vehicles will enter at strategic times to avoid the peak times on the A49'.

She added: "There will be a one way in and one way out system."

Orford councillor Morgan Tarr also raised his concerns.

He said: "I have many serious reservations about the impact that this will have on residents.

"I am particularly concerned about the smells from the station and the increased traffic on the A49, which is congested at the best of times.

"None of these concerns have been addressed.

"I do not think that this is acceptable and I will be objecting to these plans when they come before the planning committee."

The total project capital cost has been estimated at £7,837,343.

The revenue saving anticipated to be generated by building the station is in the region of £350,000 to 400,000 per year.

Public engagement will commence in September, with work due to start on the site next March.

The site should be operating once the new disposal contract is in place by February 2020.