Cause of mystery bus station odour revealed

An external view of Leeds City Bus StationImage source, Steve Jones/BBC
Image caption,

Bosses have identified the source of the stench at Leeds City Bus Station

  • Published

The cause of a "terrible" stench plaguing passengers at Leeds City Bus Station has been revealed.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds' Message the Mayor, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said the odour had been caused by spilt milk.

Staff previously told the BBC it had been lingering in the bus station's main foyer for more than 10 days, with customers likening it to a cow farm and fish.

Ms Brabin said: "We got to the source and dealt with it. Hopefully over the next few days that smell will disappear."

At the scene - Steve Jones, BBC Yorkshire

I was here on Sunday and the stench was overpowering, with passengers visibly affected.

While it may not be quite as pungent two days on, people are still holding their noses as they hurry to the exit.

One group of girls even ran to the doors to escape for some fresh air.

Media caption,

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin explains what has been causing the strange odour.

"We know what that smells like in our own home," Ms Brabin said of the spilt milk, which was discovered inside a fridge in the building.

Ms Brabin, who oversees the management of the bus station as part of her role, apologised to members of the public for the aroma.

Passengers at the terminus on Sunday described the smell as "terrible".

Meanwhile, on Monday one person told BBC Radio Leeds: "It smells like something has died."

Another said: "The station shouldn't smell like this, especially when it's a major city station."

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