CAMPAIGNERS intend to dig up the history of a road to add ammunition to their fight to stop it becoming a highway for cement lorries.

The campaign started when Tarmac applied for planning permission for work on a disused cement works at the top of Knotts Lane, Colne.

Objectors say the old road is unsuitable and should not be used. They also say that when heavy lorries used roads in the area three houses had to be demolished when vibrations from traffic led to the houses being declared unfit to live in.

Pendle councillors will decide in August whether Tarmac gets the go-ahead. The company says planning permission for the cement works was granted in the 60s by Colne Council.

Campaign organiser Eric Cummins said: "We are aware of the site's history, but that does not mean that the council of today should repeat the mistakes of yesterday.

"If the worse was to happen we would expect Pendle Council to impose a clean-up tax on the company, which it is quite entitled to do on top of the business rate.

"We would say Tarmac should have to pay at least £60,000 a year."

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