Environment Agency revokes firm's permit after Salford fire

The plume of smoke was visible on the Manchester skyline and affected train services on a nearby line

A company which runs a paper recycling plant in Salford where a major fire broke out has had its environmental permit revoked.

Firefighters spent several days at the site in Duncan Street following the blaze on 2 March, which reduced train services and caused travel delays.

The Environment Agency (EA) suspended Recovered Fuels Shipping Limited from accepting waste after the fire.

The firm was "broadly compliant" with fire safety law, the fire service said.

Raised concerns

Recovered Fuels Shipping Limited, whose site was run by Asset and Land Group, could not be contacted for a comment. It has until 7 August to appeal the decision.

The blaze involves thousands of tonnes of waste paper

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) visited the premises nine times in the last 12 months.

Geoff Harris, GMFRS area manager, said: "The site operators, Asset and Land, have been broadly compliant with fire safety legislation throughout that time."

The fire service raised concerns to the EA in February over the impact a fire could have on nearby residents, transport and the environment.

The fire broke out on Sunday night delaying trains on Monday

"The EA were very interested in our concerns, which resulted in our fire safety officers conducting joint visits to the site with EA staff, the EA decided to take enforcement action against the site operators," Mr Harris said.

An EA spokesman said: "After consideration of all the facts relating to the company and the site, the EA has now decided to revoke the environmental permit.

"Subject to any appeal, the revocation takes effect on 7 August, which means after that date the company will no longer be able to operate from that site. The company is still required to remove all the waste."

The cause of the fire remains undetermined.