FLEETWOOD residents are creating a stink over the return of Fleetwood's notorious smell.
After a £40,000 survey to established there were problems at the United Utilities sewage works, a programme of improvements was begun.
But the stench is back with a vengeance and locals want to know what has gone wrong.
Wyre Council has responded b
y saying things could get better later this month.
Peter Leech of Radcliffe Road said: "It's been terrible. We've not been able to have the windows open again.
"I haven't rung Wyre Council – I think I am wasting my time ringing them now because they don't do anything.
"They are spending millions fixing it and they don't seem to be doing anything.
"It isn't really warm weather yet. When it gets warm it will get worse."
Wendy Wood, of Greenfield Road, who two years ago organised an online petition over the smell, said: "It's been awful over the weekend.
"As soon as the weather gets warm the smell starts.
"Why did the council spend so much money to find out it was the sewage works, which everybody knew anyway, and now nothing has been done?
"I have a tree outside my house and when I see it blowing west to east I know it's going to be a good day and I can open the window and put washing out.
"But if it's east to west I get really depressed and think it's going to be bad.
"I get completely stressed out about it – I can't cope with the smell.
"You can't get it out of the house. You can't put washing out."
Neil Martin, principal environmental health officer with Wyre Council, said: "United Utilities are currently on target for completing works to the ventilation system at the Jameson Road plant, as part of the agreed programme of work, and we are told that this will be finished at the end of May.
Impact
"We are hopeful that this work will have an impact in reducing odours from the site.
"However, we would advise that residents who continue to suffer from the odours to contact either United Utilities, the Environment Agency or ourselves regarding any ongoing problems that occur."
The council revealed there had been a big increase in calls to their smell hotline.
In the past seven days there had been 30 calls, the same total as for the whole of April.
A United Utilities spokeswoman said: "We have an agreed programme with Wyre Council which is ongoing at Fleetwood.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with both the Environment Agency and Wyre."
n Concerned residents should call United Utilities on 0845 309 4098, the Environment Agency on 0870 850 6506 or Wyre Council on (01253) 887557.
n ARE you being plagued by the smell? Leave your comments on www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk
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