BELMONT, N.C. -- Dozens of people protested on Monday against plans to build a toll road from west Charlotte to west Gastonia. Opponents rallied against the Garden Parkway one hour before the Belmont town council met Monday evening.

The protestors said the planned 20-mile toll road would cut through farmland, devalue property, and result in the demolition of homes. Opponents also questioned the cost.

They hoped to persuade the town council to pass a resolution against the parkway. The council voted, instead, to reaffirm its support of the road which, planners say, will divert some traffic from I-85.

Protestors said after the vote that they will not give up. They said they already have more than 6,000 signatures on a petition to stop the Garden Parkway.