MONTHS of disruption could face parts of Paddington as lorries begin removing earth to make way for the Crossrail tunnel.

Campaigners fear an increase in traffic, excessive noise and vibrations and a rise in pollution levels as work gets under way on the new Berkshire to Essex rail link.

Lorries will transport vast amounts of earth from sites in Westbourne Park, Royal Oak and Paddington, as well as parts of the West End and Soho, over a period of around three years.

Residents John and Helen Trevena raised concerns that Chippenham Road, in North Paddington, will be used on one of the routes to the Royal Oak work site.

They said: "As lorries turn off Harrow Road into Chippenham Road, then into Elgin Avenue, this will inevitably result in increased exhaust fumes, noise levels and traffic build up.

"This area has just established the Maida Hill Market. Having construction trucks idling close by and revving engines as they pass back on the return journey will not encourage anyone to linger in the vicinity."

Jace Tyrell, spokesman for the New West End Company, which represents businesses in London, added his concerns about the lorries, although the group is supportive of the Crossrail project itself.

He said: "Noise, pollution, traffic congestion, vibrations and public safety issues arising from lorry movements will have a significant and negative impact on shoppers and visitors to the West End."

Around 50 lorries will make trips to and from the Charing Cross Road site each day during the height of the work, which is expected to last three months.

There are set to be fewer lorries at other times and at the other sites across the borough, but numbers have not been finalised.

The lorries will transport more than five million tonnes of earth, working between the hours 8am to 6pm on weekdays, and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Tunnelling is set to take place between 2011 and 2014, with passenger services on Crossrail are due to start in 2017, cutting across central London from Maidenhead, Berkshire, to Shenfield, Essex.

The routes for construction traffic were approved by Westminster Council's planning sub committee on Thursday(November 12) last week, under the Crossrail Act.

Cllr Robert Davis, chairman of the planning applications sub committee, said: "There are strict limits as to the number of lorries, so we can mitigate the impact on the city as far as possible.

"But ultimately we are supportive of Crossrail and we have campaigned for it for a number of years as the economic benefits it will bring the capital, and particularly central London, are enormous.

"However, we are anxious that the city continues to operate as normally as possible and we will be doing all we can to ensure this major engineering project is managed in such a way that, come 2012 when the eyes of the world will be upon us, our city is one its citizens can be proud of.

"We also want to ensure that any businesses affected will be compensated quickly and fairly, as local businesses should not lose out on a scheme which will bring so many benefits to the capital."

A Crossrail spokeswoman said: "Construction projects are by their nature potentially disruptive; however, it is critical that the impact on London is kept to a minimum while Crossrail’s construction is underway.

"We are working with the Port of London Authority, British Waterways and the rail industry to maximise the use of water and rail transport for delivery and removal of materials.

"There will be need for some delivery and removal by road.

"Crossrail is working closely with all affected local authorities prior to this taking place, to follow best practice guidelines and minimise disruption.

"The lorry routes are based on those that were submitted and scrutinised through the three-and-half year Crossrail Act process.

"Submissions for approval of the routes under the Crossrail Act are being made to all relevant local authorities."

She added: "Crossrail lorries will be required to travel on designated routes within designated times.

"Traffic Liaison Groups consisting of Crossrail, local highways authorities, Transport for London and other key stakeholders are being set up to facilitate the planning of traffic management arrangements for Crossrail works.

"Local community liaison panels of residents and businesses are also being established."