Hounslow councillors are demanding BAA addresses major environmental issues before pushing ahead with plans to use the former Feltham marshalling yard as a depot for the Airtrack link to Heathrow.

Airport chiefs have earmarked the site, on the boundary between Feltham and Hanworth, as their favoured location for a new train depot, servicing their controversial new 'Airtrack' scheme.

But as the public consultation drew to a close last week, a council spokeswoman insisted 'a number of key implications' for Feltham had not yet been 'adequately addressed'.

She added: "These include issues around noise, air quality, congestion and appearance, as well as the loss of important ecological habitats. 

"A response to the current consultation has been made outlining these issues, requesting further information on any alternate sites that were considered for the proposed depot, prior to the selection of the former Feltham Marshalling Yards site."

Residents in neighbouring streets had already raised concerns about the scheme, which could spell the end for a thriving Nature Conservation Area which developed after the marshalling yard closed in 1969.

Hereford Road resident Katie Roberts said: "The new trains will hardly make any difference to people in Feltham but the depot will make life miserable for us and ruin a beautiful nature reserve."

Neighbouring Spelthorne Council, which will also be affected by the development of the new rail link, has already expressed 'serious reservations' about the lack of detail in the current proposal.

Council Leader John Packman said: "It is quite unrealistic to expect us to come to a decision about something as important as this with so little to go on.

"The lack of information provided is of serious concern to the council, local residents and businesses who have a right to know exactly how these plans will affect them.

"While we are committed to supporting improved access to Heathrow without using the car, this has to be done in an environmentally acceptable manner."

A spokesman for BAA Heathrow said it was currently looking through all the feedback collected during the consultation.

He added: "The Transport and Works Act application will go in in 2009 and that will be the first step in getting planning permission, which we should then apply for later next year."