RESIDENTS living near to a proposed asphalt factory have accused the owners of deceiving locals at an exhibition designed to generate support for the project.

Campaigners opposing the new Tilcon road-stone plant say the firm's exhibition at Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre was grossly inaccurate.

Tilcon wants to build the factory off Brownedge Road, on the site of old railway sidings, and held the exhibition in a bid to put their plans in a more favourable light.

But members of the Stop the Asphalt committee - which successfully opposed plans for a similar project last year - say the exhibition has created a swell of opposition.

Committee member Eric Melling said: "This isn't a new plan and will have the same knock-on effects to the local community by increasing traffic and causing dust pollution, which we don't want.

"They have missed key details off the map. Tilcon isn't paying attention to detail."

The campaigners now plan to hold a public meeting at St Mary's Church hall, Brownedge Road, on Monday, September 28 at 7.30pm.

A Tilcon spokesman said: "We have ratified the plans so they conform to all the criteria needed."

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