Campaigners and politicians fighting against plans to build a large rail freight terminal in Park Street have expressed disappointed that a judicial review into the case has been rejected.

The district council’s application to the High Court for a review of the Government's decision not to reopen the inquiry into the proposal or conjoin it with a similar site near Slough was turned down.

The judge said that the review would be premature as Secretary of State Eric Pickles is yet to make a final decision, although he has said he is minded to approve the planning permission for the former Radlett Aerodrome site.

The council must now pay £2,000 in costs for the application.

Cathy Bolshaw, co-ordinator for the group campaigning against the development STRiFE, said: "We’re very sorry that the High Court has come to this decision.

"It is another setback. It is a stumble and it is disappointing.

"It does still beg the question why the secretary of state changed his mind.

"We still don’t have an answer to that question. It would be very interesting to know. We think it should be conjoined."

However the council can still apply for reconsideration and officials are currently seeking legal advice on what to do next.

Ms Bolshaw added: "The council will have to make a decision about what to do.

"We will keep fighting for as long as we can."

Politicians have also shown their disappointment in this latest announcement.

Sandy Walkington, a Liberal Democrat Hertfordshire County councillor for St Albans South, said: "This is hugely disappointing.

"The rules allow the council to apply for its application to be reconsidered in the High Court. Local residents must be hoping that the council does just that.

"We may be in the last chance saloon but it's not over till it's over."

Steve Bowes-Phipps, the Conservative councillor for the Park Street area, said: "It is not the end of the story just yet.

"The secretary of state has got to make a decision before we can challenge that decision. It is just legal dancing.

"We need to decide as a council what our next step is going to be."

Councillor Martin Leach, leader of the district’s Labour party, added: "It is disappointing.

"Until we get the legal advice we’re all stuck."