LORRIES packed with contaminated rubble could be rolling through Lancaster every three minutes unless ambitious plans to float a barge down the Lune become a reality.

Planners and the North-West Development Agency have pledged to look into the possible use of a boat after revealing that up to 180 HGVs a day would have to be used to clear the Luneside East site at the end of St George's Quay.

The idea emerged at a consultation meeting at Willow Lane school on Tuesday night which examined plans for an 'urban village' in place of the former gasworks at the end of the quay.

But, in order to clear heavy pollution, up to 18 lorries an hour during a 10 hour day would be travelling to and from Luneside East for six months.

Over a 12-month contract, that would be reduced to 10 lorries per hour.

St George's Quay resident and local artist Geoff Woodhead condemned the proposed increase in road use as ' unacceptable' and called for a ship to be used instead.

Julian Inman of the NWDA replied: "The agency has investigated the option of barging and it has not been ruled out completely.

"The big problems with it are first you have to lift the material from the site to the barge and then remove it at the other end."

Developers have also admitted that action will need to be taken to control pollution from the site.

Under questioning from Castle ward Cllr Jon Barry, Mike Carey, from environmental consultants Entech admitted that although the pollution risk was low, if the site were a factory it would have to be closed down.

Concerns were also raised by residents of Long Marsh Lane over plans to close the bottom of the road in order to prevent it from becoming a route to the new 'urban village'.

Mr Woodhead also made a call for the gas monitor on the key to be retained.

He said: "I consider this to be a piece of sculpture.

It is something of the past, which looks very beautiful.

I would advise you to have a look at it in the evening.

It could also be used for all sorts of things, it could be used by climbers or it could become a small skating area which, I believe, a lot of young people love to do."

John Key of Lancaster City Council's planning department said the monitor was one of three pieces of architectural, industrial heritage on the site.

The frontage of the gas works would have to be retained, though possibly not in its current site while a stone warehouse may also stay in place.