MP Lorraine Beavers says potential lifelong impact of Fleetwood landfill stink on children is 'terrifying'
Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Lorraine Beavers has spoken out after fresh complaints about foul smells from the Jameson Road landfill site.
The MP shared her frustration in a Facebook post after residents again reported strong odours coming from the Fleetwood site, which has been the subject of ongoing complaints about chemical emissions since early last year.
“It absolutely stunk last night,” she wrote.
“I know how hard this fight has been and I know how frustrated you are. I’m frustrated too, fed up of hearing about temporary issues and how it will improve this time.”
Ms Beavers said the community had endured the problem for too long and warned of the potential long-term consequences.
“As a community, we have put up with this stink for too long,” she said.
“The impact on our health and wellbeing is too much. The potential life-long impact on our children as they grow up with this smell is simply terrifying.”
Her comments come amid growing anger from residents and campaigners who say the smell - often likened to rotten eggs - continues despite monitoring by the Environment Agency.
However, the Environment Agency (EA) has now confirmed that a temporary increase in odour reports over the past week is linked to essential upgrades to the site’s gas extraction system.
In an update posted on their website on December 16, the agency said there had been a rise in the number of odour complaints received through its incident hotline over the previous seven days.
During this period, landfill operator Transwaste has been drilling 16 new gas extraction wells as part of improvements to the site’s gas management infrastructure.
EA explained that when new gas wells are drilled, areas around the drilling location must be isolated, which involves disconnecting sections of gas pipework and can lead to temporary odours.
Once installed, the wells are reconnected to begin drawing landfill gas from the waste mass.
The agency added that Transwaste is also installing additional filter equipment to improve the treatment of landfill gas, describing the new wells as an “appropriate measure” designed to maximise gas capture and reduce emissions.
All wells were expected to be installed by the end of Tuesday, December 16.
Environment Agency officers visited the site last week and are due to return again this week to ensure the gas infrastructure is operating effectively and that specialist gas contractors remain on site.
EA also confirmed it has made clear to Transwaste that waste acceptance over the Christmas period should be kept to a minimum, with the focus placed on progress towards the capping of cell 6.
Capping plans for this area have now been received, and no new waste activity is expected on the top of the landfill until at least after the new year, when work is due to move to cell 5.
Officers will also be carrying out odour assessments within the community during this period, with the Environment Agency saying it will continue to monitor activity and take enforcement action if necessary.
Residents have reported symptoms including headaches, nosebleeds, sore throats and breathing difficulties, which campaigners believe are linked to emissions from the site.
Ms Beavers urged residents to continue reporting odours, stressing that pressure from the community remains vital.
“If you can, please continue to report the stink,” she said.
“We already know that the Transwaste lease will not be renewed past December 31, 2027, but we can still fight.
“We can fight to have the site closed down earlier, we can fight to ensure it is left safe and well-managed when closed, and we can fight for our community to be heard so that others don’t go through what we have been through.”
The landfill is operated by Transwaste and remains under regulatory supervision.
The Environment Agency issued an enforcement notice earlier this year requiring updates to gas and odour management plans.
More detailed information about ongoing works at the site is available via the Environment Agency’s community engagement pages for the Jameson Road Landfill Site.
Residents are encouraged to report odours directly to the authorities.
Smells can be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60, or to Wyre Council via its online reporting form.