'I think the meeting was productive - now we can monitor the air quality in Fleetwood ourselves'
“It was productive and was an update on where we are at.”
Air quality monitors to measure potentially toxic gases in Fleetwood are expected to be installed within the next two weeks, as residents continue to confront the town’s ongoing odour problem
A community fundraising drive to purchase four monitors rapidly reached its target, with locals rallying together as they battle the foul stench hanging over the area.
The news follows as a productive public meeting, where around 50 residents gathered at the United Reformed Church Hall to discuss the latest developments. Local MP Lorraine Beavers addressed the meeting and people asked questions.
Jess Brown, spokesperson for Action Against Fleetwood Jameson Road Landfill, said: “It was productive and was a general update on where we are at.”
“We have enough money to get two air quality monitors so we can monitor the air quality ourselves. Now we are now looking towards the Children’s Protest on May 16. A couple of days before that, we are protesting at the full council meeting at Wyre Civic Centre. That’s May 14.”
Meanwhile, concerns about potential health impacts are being investigated. Occupational health nurse Pamela Abbott has been collecting samples of particulate fragments found in parts of Fleetwood. These have been sent to a biochemist for analysis, amid suspicions they may be linked to emissions from the landfill site.
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What is the current situation?
Wyre Council has now taken formal legal action with an abatement notice to the landfill operator Transwaste. This legally requires the company to stop the odour affecting residents within 60 days.
The site can continue operating during that period, but must fix the problem or risk further action.
This is a significant escalation. Transwaste, the company that operates the landfill says its disappointed by the issuing of a legal notice and was taking legal advice.
What the toxic gas actually is
The smell widely reported across Fleetwood has been identified as hydrogent suphide (H2S) and is commonly described as a rotten egg smell. People are concerned that it is causing health issues such as headaches, nausea and eye irritation. Authorities have said levels are within safety limits but resisdents strongly dispute that.
What is being done (besides the legal notice)
The Environment Agency has carried out frequent inspections and monitoring; issued enforcement notices and temporary suspensions in the past Ongoingmitigation includes capping parts of the landfill - sealing waste to trap gas- installing and or replacing gas extraction wells
The bottom line...
The issue is still ongoing and unresolved. The new abatement notice is the biggest recent development, forcing action within a fixed time frame. The next couple of months are critical.