ATTLEBORO - The roar of opposition to the Attleboro route for a commuter rail line to New Bedford and Fall River got louder Tuesday with the city council unanimously passing a resolution against it.

In approving the measure that "strongly rejects" any further consideration by state officials of the route that would affect Taunton, Mansfield, Norton and Attleboro, the panel jumped on board a speeding locomotive of opposition that includes Mayor Kevin Dumas and the area's entire legislative delegation.

Dumas spoke against the Attleboro route, with numerous others last week at a state sponsored hearing in Norton. Councilors left no doubt about how they feel about the route that would sever key ambulance routes to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, devastate more than 20 acres of open space and conservation land in Attleboro and virtually bisect Taunton with 15 at-grade crossings in the middle of the city.

Councilors used words such as "ridiculous" and "insulting" in comments about the plan. The plan that was rejected in 2002 is up for reconsideration as the state tries to determine which of four routes it will pursue to extend commuter rail to the South Coast area of the state.

The resolution endorses the effort to build the line, but urges the state to adopt the Stoughton route, arguing it has the least impact to communities and is the most direct. State officials hope to settle on a route by 2010 and to build the $1.4 billion project by 2016. Area residents can express their views at a hearing in South Easton on Jan. 31. The session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Southeastern Regional Vocational-Technical High School.

A hearing is scheduled for Attleboro on March 10 at a location to be announced.