THE Government is prepared to consider a new access from the M65 to Whinney Hill tip if plans for a recycling plant go ahead.

Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman made the concession in a letter to Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and is to meet campaigners from the area before Christmas.

The move came after Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott revealed that he will have the final say on the waste transfer project at the power station.

Mr Pope and local people are strongly opposed to the new development on the site of the old Huncoat Power Station and to Lancashire County Council plans to drive a new road through Green Belt land to the proposed recycling plant.

But Mr Pope is pleased that finally the Department of Transport have agreed to consider a direct access from the M65 to Whinney Hill and the power station site.

Up to now ministers have refused to look at the issue.

Mr Ladyman said he would ask the Highways Agency to look at putting a new access road from Junction 8 where the M65 links to the A56.

He said it would be technically very difficult to do and warned it would be very expensive.

Mr Pope said: "We still don't want the waste recycling plant but, if we have to have it, it is far better to have a new road from Junction 8 than the existing plan to drive one through Green Belt land."