A MULTI-million pound industrial development plan has left a local community divided.

The row between two camps of Kearsley residents has erupted over the proposed development at the former tip Singing Clough.

The plans include a new access road from Bolton Road to the Lyon Industrial Estate, which would divert heavy traffic from the residential areas of Springfield and Pilkington Road.

As revealed in the BEN earlier this week, residents of those two roads are delighted by the news and more than 300 have signed a petition in support of the development which Bolton Council say could create 300 jobs.

But now another 300 residents from Bolton Road, Park View, Johnson Street and Station Road have signed a petition opposing the development.

They object to the creation of another industrial estate in an area which already boasts three business parks, and to a new access road which they claim will add to the congestion on Bolton Road.

Bill Collison from Bolton Road who initiated the petition against the development said: "We don't want an argument with the people on Springfield and Pilkington Road. What we want is an access road from the motorway to the Lyon Estate which would pull any traffic problems away from everybody."

Both petitions will be presented to councillors tonight at a public meeting to discuss the development. The meeting is being held at St Stephen's School between 6pm and 8pm.

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