RESIDENTS fighting controversial plans for a massive sand quarry in Euxton stepped up their attempts to block the move this week when they presented a petition to Lancashire County Council.

Members of Euxton Residents Against Sand Extraction (ERASE) have collected more than 2,000 signatures against the inclusion of a map of farmland, near Nixon Hillock, in the village, in the Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan.

The map highlights deposits of sand and minerals which the group feels indirectly promotes the site as the best place for a quarry.

Last month group spokesman, Bruce Carlin, contacted The Citizen to appeal to residents to sign the petition.

This week group member Jenny Vipond presented it to John Geldard, policy adviser on minerals and waste for LCC and chief planner Clive Grimshaw.

She said: "We hope Lancashire County Council will listen to the people of Euxton and use a bit of intelligence and common sense." Tarmac announced four years ago that they wanted to quarry sand at the site -- 2.3 million tonnes over 15 years -- but a lengthy public inquiry recommended that other sites be investigated.

Bruce Carlin, ERASE spokesman, said: "I was only expecting around 200 signatures at the most, because this has been going on so long I thought people might have lost interest.

"How can a site selection process be fair when LCC highlight Euxton in the plan but say it's up to the industry to come up with alternative sites."

Tony Ingham, head of development and policy for LCC's environment directorate, said: "The deadline for objections to the plan was yesterday (Wednesday April 4).

"Now we will compile a report on the objections and submit it to the council's elected members who will decide whether to make new recommendations.

"It is not a foregone conclusion that the map will stay, as it will be up to the elected members.

"The residents should remember that if Euxton stays as a safeguarded site, all it means is that the site will not be used for any other purpose, for example, building new homes.

"If anyone wanted to quarry the site they would still need to put in an application which would be subject to the usual regulations and procedures."

SIGNED, sealed and delivered: ERASE members present the petition to John Geldard and Clive Grimshaw of LCC.