Proposals to convert a railway yard in Cricklewood into a rail freight ‘super hub’ have been met with objections from residents.

Protesters believe that noise, pollution, and traffic will soar dramatically if the plans go ahead.

DB Cargo, the UK’s largest rail freight hauler, has a 125 year lease on the land, which is owned by National Rail, until 2121,

DB Cargo and the London Borough of Barnet would like to transform the rail yard, which is opposite the bus depot on Edgware Road, into a storage area for lorries to pick up aggregates, material used in construction, such as sand and gravel.

It would mean a host of trucks will be required to come to Cricklewood to pick up the supplies before delivering them across the capital.

A number of comments and objections have already been made on the application submitted to Barnet Council.

People are worried about the environmental effects this freight hub would have on the area.

Resident Lisa Pate says this is an ‘unsuitable site for this purpose because it will create dust and traffic to neighbouring properties’.

Agnes Peyser, of Iverson Road, in Kilburn, says the A5 is already blighted by air pollution and congestion.

“I live in Kilburn and cannot see how this site will not impact dramatically on hgv traffic on the Kilburn High Road.

Additionally I live in the proximity of the rail tracks. My house shakes each time a freight train goes past. This would be worse with additional trains,” she wrote in an objection letter.

Paul Hoskins, from the North West Two Residents Association, says residents raised enough environmental objections for the planning committee to delay a decision on a smaller temporary operation on the site at Hendon town hall earlier this year; but the council posted the application for the permanent site the very next morning, which he says leaves people in Cricklewood feeling ‘very vulnerable’.

Agents GL Hearn, who produced the application, envisage that there will nearly 500 vehicle movements a day.

People have until October 18 to comment on the application