TOWN councillors have been banned from speaking out at a public inquiry about plans to store rubbish in Knutsford.

An independent inspector said they could not attend the hearing because their comments were 'concerns' not 'objections'.

Last week campaigners claimed the decision to silence Knutsford Town Council was undemocratic.

"It's bizarre and ridiculous," said Laurie Burton, a member of Residents Against Tip Site.

"The town council are a consultant and they should be there because part of their duty is to represent residents."

People who objected before a deadline to plans for a waste facility in Knutsford can attend the public inquiry.

Town councillors had expected to be there because they wrote a letter about the proposals two years ago.

They told Cheshire County Council that storing rubbish on the Parkgate Industrial Estate could increase traffic congestion in Knutsford.

But last week the inspector said the letter contained concerns, not an official objection.

Town councillor Jan Nicholson said the decision was frustrating because they wanted to help the protesters.

"It's disappointing because we won't get a chance to represent the people who elected us," she said.

Cheshire County Council has earmarked Parkgate Industrial Estate as one of six potential sites in the borough to build a rubbish storage facility.

Campaigners fear the plans will add to Knutsford's traffic congestion.

However, RATS' members have already been banned from speaking at the public inquiry because their objections were submitted after the deadline.

Town councillors recently agreed to help the protesters four months after they began their campaign.

The elected officials said they would put forward their concerns at the hearing on September 5.

But then Knutsford Town Council was told it could not contribute to the inspector's investigation.

"It's certainly been a roller coaster ride for us," said Mr Burton.

"One week you're up and next week you're down. Everywhere we turn people seem to be putting things in our way."

Councillors and RATS' members met in Parkgate Lane on Tuesday last week to discuss their next move.

Councillor Nicholson said they would ask the inspector to change his mind.

"We want them to review the decision they've come to," she said.