A FURTHER £12 million is to be pumped into the East Lancashire Paper Mill.

The multi-million pound investment represents a massive boost for the town, but some Radcliffe residents are not celebrating.

They claim that noise, pollution, and increased traffic from the previous expansion are damaging their quality of life.

The £12 million will be spent on a three-year programme involving ELPM's business papers division, recycled packaging papers, and contract finishing services.

UK sales and marketing manager Mr Ian Holt said: "It is good news for all our customers as it maintains our technological edge in a European marketplace and ensures high standards of quality and pride." Money has also been earmarked for general site development to improve the environment

But residents who live near the ELPM want the company to make issues affecting them a priority.

Mr Derek Sandford of Bury Street said: "While we welcome the success of a local company, we do not approve of the way the growth has affected us. "The public, and especially young children, are in danger from electric stacker-trucks that should be used only on the premises but are constantly used on residential roads."

Mr Sandford, who is backed by the Pennine and Northern Footpaths Society, said: "They have made assurances that we won't be affected before. I just hope that this time the company is true to its word."

This week, ELPM production director George Farrell explained that Church Street East had been temporarily closed due to an unsafe wall that was in danger of collapsing.

He said: "We are concerned it could injure someone and are repairing it to ensure it is safe."

He was unaware that stacker-trucks were using public roads and would investigate the matter fully, he said.

Regarding complaints about the combined heat and power plant, Scottish Hydro Electric's engineer, Mr Geoff Frost, said: "It concerns us if we are upsetting our neighbours.

"A full noise survey has been undertaken by independent investigators which is due to be completed in August."

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