February 15, 2001 16:06: COUNCILLORS have announced plans to join forces to fight proposals for a giant rail freight link through Bucks.

South Bucks District Council is to work with other local authorities to co-ordinate work to show up potential problems in the Central Railway scheme from Liverpool to Lille.

Representatives from local government, rail freight and legal experts addressed a meeting held at the district council offices in Slough last Friday.

Councillor Trevor Egleton (Con, Stoke Poges) the district council leader, said: "Following the recent letter from Central Railway to John Prescott which called for the Central Railway project to receive preferential treatment, it has been necessary for local authorities to find out exactly where we stand.

"If Central Railway cannot make an application that commands public support and truly helps British rail freight, the company should give in swiftly and gracefully and relieve uncertainty along its proposed route."

Describing the proposed consortium, Councillor Chris Whitehouse (Con, Iver Heath), council vice-chairman of policy said: "By pooling information and resources local authorities can achieve more at lower cost."

A Central Railway spokesman said: "We are not looking for preferential treatment. The letter to John Prescott was to try and find a mechanism to ensure that the proposals are dealt with fairly and quickly, including input from local authorities and residents."

A formal announcement on the consortium's creation should be made in the next few weeks.