RESIDENTS living near a bitumen plant at Preston Docks have been given more time to register their views on controversial plans to re-introduce rail freight to the plant following a public meeting.

People living on the Larches Estate, Riversway, fear an increase in production at the plant could make worse environmental problems they claim have been going on for decades.

At a public meeting held on October 24, residents met with councillors and the managing director of Totalfina Bitumen, Julian Peake, to air their concerns.

The council originally received proposals from Totalfina Bitumen Ltd and Ribble Steamport Ltd to restore rail freight at the Preston Docks Railway in order that products could be transported by rail to the plant.

In early October the council delayed the decision on this matter in order to listen to local people's views and to gather more information.

Following the meeting the decision will not be made until December.

"The meeting was quite well attended and it was very obvious to everyone there that people were very concerned," said Elaine Abbot, Labour councillor for the Ashton Ward who was at the meeting. "I was their both as a councillor and as a resident of the Larches for 35 years.

"There were two main points raised.

"Firstly, residents were concerned about the re-opening of the railway, how frequently trains will be running and at what time of day and even more so the night.

"Secondly there were many environmental concerns raised as well.

"People on the Larches estate complaining of the really horrible smells coming from the plant have been going on for decades.

"The whole reason for the proposed re-opening of the rail line is to increase production at the plant.

"If the production increases, then the smell could easily get worse.

"The outcome of the meeting was nothing would be decided until the meeting of the full council in December.

"But despite that, residents should write down and send their objections as soon as possible to the council."

At the time of going to press we were unable to contact to Mr Peake for his response.