A PETITION against wagons transporting animal waste through Queensbury has gained enough support to be discussed by Bradford Council.

Nearly 1,800 people had signed online and paper petitions by the end of last week - about 300 more than the 1,500 needed for the matter to be brought before the authority.

Fed-up residents have previously said they have had enough of the "disgusting smells emanating" from the Leo Group vehicles as they pass through Queensbury.

Locals want Leo Group to either transport the waste in tightly-sealed containers, or avoid the village's roads all together.

The firm, which has sites at Denholme and Halifax, said it adhered to industry transportation standards and that its route was dictated by Bradford Council.

A spokesman for the petition group said he was delighted that the required number of signatures had been achieved.

"I think it is brilliant," he said. "We have proved one thing - that we have got a lot of people who are very upset with what they are doing in our village. I really didn't expect to get this many in so short a time.

"You can see the numbers - and there is still about two weeks to go. It shows what people are feeling.

"I did hope we would get 1,500 by the end of it. Now there is no reason we cannot get 3,000 in the rest of the time. Children under 16 can sign it as well, according to Bradford Council's rules."

He continued: "When the petition is handed into the Council, we will have also written a letter and quite a few people will be writing personal statements."

A spokesman for Leo Group said the firm would not be adding to a previous statement it issued, other than to "stress that, in common with every other company in the UK, we use the public road network".

The company's previous statement said: "We play a vital role in the success of the British meat industry and adhere to transportation standards which are amongst the toughest imposed by any sector.

"In following these strict regulations laid down by the animal by-products industry, we strive to meet - and beat - best practice wherever possible.

"Moving this type of cargo in air-tight containers is widely recognised as not being a practical or safe option.

"We are committed to looking at innovation and ways of breaking new ground wherever possible. Our research and development team is continually investigating and trialling new methods of minimizing odours en route, with two prototypes currently in production.

"We go to great lengths to ensure that all cargo is safely moved and we would also like to reassure people there are no health issues from breathing in any perceived odours.

"It is important to stress that the route to our Bradford facility – and the operating times that we can move vehicles into and out of the site - has been dictated to us by Bradford District Council."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "When the petition is formally submitted to the Council, it will then be decided when and where it is discussed."

The petition closes on Wednesday, November 4 this year.