Businesses losing out from 'toxic stench', MP says

Residents have staged a long-running campaign

Businesses have begun losing money because of the "toxic stench" from a nearby landfill site, an MP has said.

Lorraine Beavers said the Jameson Road site in Fleetwood was affecting people's "whole lives" and "the future of our town".

In a letter to the Environment Agency's (EA) regional director Carol Holt, the MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood said local firms had been reporting cancelled bookings and low attendances after the 40th anniversary of the Fleetwood Festival of Transport at the weekend because of the pungent smell.

The EA said it was demanding improvements and "maintaining our increased regulatory response", including regular "odour checks" and site inspections.

Apart from the smell of "rotten eggs", there have also been health concerns about emissions from the site, with people complaining of nosebleeds, headaches, sore throats and breathing difficulties.

Wyre Council, which owns the land, has said the lease would not be renewed after 31 December 2027.

Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Lorraine Beavers said "enough is enough"

An EA representative said: "We completely understand the impact this landfill has had on the community

"We have made it clear that we expect significant improvements to gas infrastructure and close control over the types of waste accepted for operations at the site to continue."

In her letter, Beavers said the recent festival, traditionally known as Tram Sunday, was an event that "brings our community together and drives visitors to our town".

But she said the community was "fatigued, unwell and frustrated by the continued smell".

'Deserve better'

Operators Transwaste said it had recently invested over £40,000 on 11 new deep wells to extract gas and address odour issues.

It also pointed to an EA report in May which found that that air quality was well within WHO safety standards.

Beavers told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she wanted to meet EA staff this week to "discuss what happens next".

"Enough is enough. We cannot accept this any more. The people who live here deserve better," Beavers said.

"If Transwaste can't run this site properly, it should be closed down."