BRIDPORT residents are warning that building a new waste transfer station at Gore Cross in Bridport could lead to traffic chaos.

The estimated extra 500 vehicle movements generated each day would bring the approach roads close to saturation point.

That's the view of St Andrew's Road Residents' Association which says the county council should be looking at a site off the A35 - a road which can take the extra cars and lorries.

Chairman Simon Williams said: "The peak designed flow for St Andrew's Road is 1,800 vehicles per hour. With other planing proposals we are rapidly approaching that figure."

Mr Williams was speaking after plans for the proposed site went on public display at Bridport Town Hall last week.

Visitors heard that land near the Gore Cross industrial estate is now the county council's first choice location for the waste transfer and recycling centre.

It would be built on a onehectare piece of farmland in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The centre would be used for the transfer and limited sorting of materials from kerbside collection rounds and a household recycling centre to replace the present temporary facility in South Street.

Up to 28 heavy goods vehicles would visit the site daily along with more than 250 private cars expected to use the recycling centre.

John Bennett, the county's waste planning policy team leader, said traffic concerns were by far the biggest cause for objections to the plan.

St Andrew's Road residents and Bradpole Parish Council had expressed their worries about inadequate road links during the exhibition. He stressed that not everyone opposed the plan.

Residents in the Burton Road area of Bridport were delighted that it meant victory in their bitter fight to stop the plant going to Wych Farm - the council's previous preferred location.

Mr Bennett said residents now have until November 11 to lodge objections. Following that there will be a public inquiry into the plan, probably in May.

The government inspector is expected to announce his verdict at the end of next year or early 2006.

If he gives the go ahead the county will then seek planning permission for the site which could be in operation some time later that year.

Mr Bennett added that setting up the transfer station was now "most important" and that the new site was the best spot.