CAMPAIGNERS opposed to controversial plans to build a railfreight terminal on the outskirts of Radlett will cram into a meeting tomorrow (Monday) as the final decision on the proposal is made.

Councillors will vote on plans to build a giant terminal, complete with goods yards and warehouses, on Green Belt land, formally used as Radlett Aerodrome at a meeting of St Albans District Council.

Hertsmere Borough Council has already written to St Albans to formally oppose the proposal, and leader of council, John Graham, said he hoped the plan would be rejected.

He said: "There are serious concerns in Radlett and in some other areas that there would be severe congestion on the surrounding roads.

"As well as the lorries, there will be 3,000 people working there and of course they have to get to work and back.

"We think that the traffic congestion will be much worse than it is being made out to be in the application."

A decision on the plan was deferred in December, and since then traffic experts at the Highways Agency have added their voices to the chorus of official bodies recommending refusal.

Among the reasons supporting refusal in the council's official report are noise, the traffic impact on the A414, light pollution and damage to wildlife and scenery.

Indeed so many objectors to the project are expected at the meeting that the venue has had to be changed to the Alban Arena.

Co-ordinator of the campaign group, Cathy Bolshaw, said: "We need to send out an emphatic No' on February 19.

"Although the council has previously indicated they are minded to refuse the application, the 19th will be the moment when we hope it will finally be turned down."

If permission is turned down, contractors Helioslough, who argue the terminal is essential to get freight off the national road network, is almost certain to appeal, leading to a protracted and costly public enquiry.

The meeting will be held at the Alban Arena, St Albans, starting at 7pm.

Anyone wishing to speak can telephone the council on 01727 819345 between 10am and 2.30pm on Monday, while the meeting will be broadcast live via a link at www.stalbans.gov.uk.