MP urges residents to protest after stink from Fleetwood's Jameson Road landfill site over Christmas
An MP has urged residents to join a protest later this month after saying foul smells from the Jameson Road landfill site continued over Christmas despite assurances they would not.
In a Facebook post shared on January 5, Lorraine Beavers said she was “disappointed and angry” that odours persisted from the Jameson Road Landfill, and called on the community to stand together.
“If you’re feeling the same please come along to the protest on January 17 and let’s show Transwaste that our community is not prepared to keep putting up with it,” she wrote.
Ms Beavers said she has been campaigning for the site’s closure for a long time and meets weekly with the Environment Agency, while also raising concerns with Lancashire County Council, Wyre Council and in Parliament.
She said the smell had left residents “fed up, frustrated, angry and scared” for their health, adding: “I sat in my home over Christmas breathing that toxic stench in.”
The MP is urging residents to attend a peaceful protest outside the landfill site on January 17, from 9am to 11.30am, saying a strong turnout would increase pressure on landfill operator Transwaste, regulators and the Government to act.
Environment Agency statement
In response, the Environment Agency issued the following statement: “We understand the impact odours from Jameson Road landfill site have on the community.
“We want to reassure residents that we have increased our regulatory response throughout the year.
“Over the Christmas period we increased the number of inspections and odour surveys in preparation for the holidays.
“To improve conditions for the local community, we ensure the operator, Transwaste, complies with its permit.”
They added: “Transwaste has installed 16 new gas wells and a second carbon filter which will ultimately increase gas capture and should allow more effective gas capture.
“Unfortunately, this installation caused an increase in odour reports.
“We expect permanent capping of the recently filled landfill area to begin shortly. This will seal the deposited waste and allow for full gas and odour control on the most recent tipping area.
“We continue to keep residents and community leaders updated and attend regular community liaison meetings together with partners.”
1,184 odour reports in December
The agency said it received 1,184 odour reports in December, with a significant spike in the second half of the month.
It said the increase was linked to the installation of the new gas wells, which required sections of pipework to be temporarily disconnected, as well as atmospheric conditions.
The Environment Agency said it has:
- Carried out additional odour surveys and inspections
- Sought assurances that the site would only accept minimal waste loads over Christmas
- Required Transwaste to work with a smaller tipping face and apply additional cover material
- Mandated updated Odour Management and Landfill Gas Management Plans
- Installed monitoring facilities, including within residential areas
Plans to permanently cap current operational landfill cells are now being reviewed, with work expected to begin as early as the end of January, subject to weather conditions.
The Environment Agency confirmed it holds regular liaison meetings with residents and the local MP, but said it will not be attending the January 17 protest.
Ongoing concerns
Jameson Road landfill has been the subject of long-running complaints from residents, many of whom say strong odours - often likened to rotten eggs - continue despite monitoring and enforcement action.
Ms Beavers said she would continue to support campaigners and residents, stressing that community pressure remains crucial.
“When I’ve spoken to successful campaign groups, it’s the community standing together that made the difference,” she said.
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting odours to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60, or to Wyre Council via its online reporting form.