COUNCILLORS plan to join forces to look for potential problems in the controversial rail freight link proposed to go through Bucks.

Chiltern District Council's policy and finance committee agreed yesterday to work with other local authorities to scrutinise the massive Central Railway scheme planned to begin in Liverpool and end in Lille, in France.

Cllr Peter Jones (Lib Dem) said: "We should join this consortium to voice the concerns of many local people who are very worried about the railway's effect on their homes."

Cllr Don Phillips (Con) said: "It will affect anyone and everyone and it will affect people very directly."

Cllr Alan Dibbo (Con) said: "We do need to find out more about this."

Central Railway came under fire recently from South Bucks District Council after it sent John Prescott a letter asking to look at changing the planning process for the project.

A Central Railway spokesman said: "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.