THE railfreight inquiry is going at a snail's pace with only 12 out of 32 planning conditions agreed in more than two hours this morning.

Helioslough claims that fears of traffic chaos are unfounded as it will make improvements to the local road network, for example a new Park Street by-pass and enhancements to the London Colney and former M10 roundabouts.

The district council insists that if planning permission is granted, the obligation to install these improvements must be formally set out in legally enforcable conditions.

Helioslough accepts the conditions in principle, but is anxious to keep a tight rein on the exact wording so it is not committed to anything too expensive or difficult.

Its barrister Martin Kingston has acccused the council of drawing up impossible conditions designed to ensure the railfreight terminal is never operational.

Conditions agreed so far include installing traffic lights at the M10 roundabout, improving them at London Colney, completing the access road and Park Street by-pass, and modifying Junction 21A of the M25 motorway.

Conditions yet to be discussed include modifications to rail tunnels, landscaping, soil management, preservation of Hedges Farm, the country park, drainage, new ponds, acid grassland, protecting birds and reptiles, and archaeology.

Perhaps the most crucial is Condition 25, which insists on regular noise monitoring, with daytime limits of 50 decibels at any home, and 60 between 11pm and 7am, with higher levels allowed during construction.

Helioslough is due to call its first witness after the condition debate, but the ticking clock appears to vindicate Mr Kingston, who wanted this postponed until Tuesday.

As the inquiry broke for lunch with 13 conditions discussed, the council's barrister Matthew Reed said: "I do anticipate that progress will speed up."

Mr Kingston quipped: "The closer we get to four o'clock, the faster we shall go."