FAMILIES closest to the A14 on the Felixstowe peninsula were today horrified that one million extra lorries could one day be passing their homes.Residents of The Langstons, Trimley St Mary, live just yards from the dual carriageway and are already plagued with near-constant traffic noise and fumes wafting into their gardens.

FAMILIES closest to the A14 on the Felixstowe peninsula were today horrified that one million extra lorries could one day be passing their homes.

Residents of The Langstons, Trimley St Mary, live just yards from the dual carriageway and are already plagued with near-constant traffic noise and fumes wafting into their gardens.

The close of houses on the Farmlands Estate sits in the shadow of the water tower near the infamous dock spur roundabout, where lorries are going slower as they negotiate the junction.

Shirley Barton, 54, said: "It's already really loud when you are out in the back garden and it's awful in the summer when you want to be out there relaxing.

"This summer's been particularly bad as it's been so hot in the evenings and we've had to keep all the windows shut because of the noise."

Her neighbour Trisha Hobson, 36, agreed: "I've got a little boy who is only five and the lorries often wake him up.

"It's a constant noise right through the night and quite often the wardrobe in our bedroom will start shaking because of the vibrations."

Expansion of Felixstowe port's southern container terminals will mean the dock handling another 1.5 million boxes a year – around one million of which will arrive and depart by road.

Linda Tyler, 49, said: "I think we've got to draw the line somewhere. Obviously, some expansion is a good thing in terms of jobs but enough is enough now. We don't need to add to the traffic anymore.

"The noise is bad but you do get used to it. What worries me is the pollution and the dust that comes off the road.

"Everything that sits out in the garden for any length of time gets covered in a film of black dust and it makes you wonder what it's doing to you."

Ian Macdonald, 43, agreed: "It's disgusting. All the window frames and doors get covered in this black dust and you have to wipe it off the washing line before you put the clothes on it.

"My garden backs right on to the A14 and the noise is a nightmare. I would be completely against anything that is going to put more lorries on the road.

"The noise from the lorries is a complete nuisance. You sort of get used to the continual droning but every so often one of the containers will hit a bump in the road and make a really loud bang. The house rumbles sometimes when you get really big ones go past."

Lorna Wood, 25, said: "We've only been living here a year and already we are thinking about moving. The noise is definitely one of the things that would make us want to go. My partner sleeps through it most of the time but it keeps me awake a lot –I just can't get used to it."

n What can be done about the problems caused by the lorries – should the port not be allowed to expand? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk