TRAFFORD Council has decided not to back the massive Trafford Interchange scheme.

Town hall chiefs have told the would-be developers to reconsider the details of the £250 million rail-based distribution and manufacturing park earmarked for green belt land in Carrington.

Labour councillor Jane Baugh has also voiced her concerns over the plan, which is a joint venture by Shell and the Burford group.

Trafford Council expressed concerns about the extent of Green Belt land that would be lost and the effects of the traffic on the local transport network.

Fears were also highlighted about the environment and the confusion surrounding the improvements to the rail network.

Councillor Jane Baugh said: "My concerns were in relation to the freight trains that would be used by Shell and Burford. This would result in the opening up of the Partington and Altrincham line and in particular the loop system, which would result in trains being shunted at Skelton junction.

"I am already aware of the noise on part of this line from freight trains which, despite efforts by the environmental health department and negotiations with the relative rail companies and Railtrack, still continues. It is a screeching sound with vibrations from these trains and can last for up to five or six minutes, particularly during the night."

"With trains up to half a mile long using this route and the inevitable noise from shunting, I remain unconvinced that any measures could reduce the noise of these heavy trains."

Cllr Baugh is worried about the effect the development would have on green belt land.

She said: "Green belt land should never be developed. Councils all across the country are looking at valid reasons why green belt should be developed for employment but if this happens in every council, green belt will be nibbled away."

Arthur Jurgens, the chairman of Trafford Council for the Protection of Rural England, welcomed the council's stance: "We are pleased the council is looking at this again and also feel grateful for the expertise and amount of work our councillors have put in examining these proposals. We still believe this is not a good place for a rail interchange. There are better places that don't affect the green belt, such as a site at Basford, Crewe."

Altrincham and Sale West MP Graham Brady said: "I am delighted the council has started to wake up to some of the very real public concerns."

He added: "But on that site it is difficult to see how it is possible to amend the scheme so it is acceptable."

Further discussions with the developers are planned to deal with some of the concerns expressed by the council.