Drivers will be faced with “mammoth” traffic jams when a new freight terminal is built near Radlett, according to campaigners.

Despite being six miles from the Park Street terminal, the Elstree Greenbelt Society said it will have a “dramatic effect” on cars passing through Borehamwood.

Under the plans, by developer HelioSlough, five big warehouses and a railway line will be built near Park Street.

But campaigners say this will cause a 20 per cent rise in traffic in St Albans, Radlett and Borehamwood – with around 1500 heavy good drivers using the local roads.

Ann Goddard, of Deacons Hill Road, Elstree, called the plans “crazy” and said both areas would be blighted by noise, light and “lung destroying diesel fumes”.

The 79-year-old said: “The traffic tailbacks here are bad enough as it is, but this will make it so much worse. These plans threaten day-long gridlock and mammoth traffic jams on Watling Street.

“The new terminal will be generally awful and unpleasant for anyone in the area. It is wrongly situated.

“A beautiful patch of land will be lost forever.”

Under the plans, a new bridge linking the terminal and the M25 will be built – as well as work on a new roundabout on the A414 to accommodate the extra traffic flow.

But Mrs Goddard, who has six grandchildren, said the new roads would “render life intolerable” for anyone in the area.

Society member Pat Strack – who is also the Mayor of Borehamwood – said: “I am worried because there are so many changes to be made to the rail network.

“The overheard bridges are not big enough and some are not on the right side – so trains will have to go to Cricklewood to do a loop and come to Park Street again.

“This is an ill-conceived idea and has been forced through by a political ideologue without considering the people who are going to be affected by it the most.” “

“There is enough congestion on the trains as it is, this will make it so much worse.”

Another society member, Ken Herbert, was left feeling riled after Eric Pickles gave the plans the green light in December – without holding an inquiry as originally promised.

The 68-year-old Theobold Street resident, said: “The freight wagons will not be able to pass through the tunnels on the railway line. The whole thing is a complete shambles.

“We do not need a freight terminal here as we do not have high levels of unemployment – so people will be driving in from elsewhere making the roads impossible.”