Stink not only from tip, say landfill operators

The operators of the Fleetwood landfill site at the centre of thousands of complaints over stinking emissions have said the site played "only a small role" in the overall odour profile of the area.

Transwaste announced last week it had commissioned an independent monitoring company to analyse the levels and sources of odours in and around the site.

The company said the first results showed that odour levels were low at that time and appeared to originate from a number of sources.

But campaigner Dr Barbara Kneale said: "There were no complaints before Transwaste reopened the landfill site. There have been thousands of complaints since – that tells you everything you need to know."

Transwaste said results showed that during the week commencing 12 May, a total of 172 odour tests were carried out across key locations in Fleetwood.

Out of these, 151 tests showed no detectable landfill-related odour, and only 21 detections were attributed to landfill or mixed sources - the majority of which were recorded in areas of low sensitivity, such as the landfill compound and its immediate surroundings.

While 11 detections occurred in high-sensitivity locations - including Springfield Terrace, Cala Gran, Broadwater Entrance, and Browns Lane - the tests showed those events were intermittent, of low intensity, and influenced largely by prevailing wind conditions, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The landfill operators said the findings supported the view that occasional landfill-related odours were now more localised and limited in impact.

But Dr Kneale, a member of campaign group Action Against Jameson Road Landfill, said: "Transwaste are insulting our intelligence.

"There is a real difference between the smell of sewage and the chemical, rotting eggs smell of the landfill.

"People are having to put up with this vile odour – like someone throwing a huge stinkbomb in your garden – on a regular basis.

"And it is affecting people's health and wellbeing. This site just needs to be closed down once and for all."

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