Agency under fire in tip stand-off

A STAND-OFF between anti-tip campaigners, councillors and the Environment Agency has caused a major rift over the High Moor landfill, Scouthead.

The backlash against the watchdog comes in the wake of a public meeting last week to discuss a raft of complaints, including noxious smells and a lack of monitoring equipment.

Diane Bolan, who lives on a farm backing on to the site, said: “Considering High Moor is the most problematic landfill site in the country, the EA should be making more effort to ensure it is managed properly.

“It is very surprising that even though it is high priority, the EA has only made a few spot checks over the last year. One a week would be more appropriate.

“Despite complaints, meetings and media coverage, the EA is still taking no notice. It is supposed to protect the public but this is not happening.

“We are told to carry on calling the emergency number to complain, but what is the point when nothing is done.”

Mrs Bolan and other residents have threatened to blockade the tip, which is operated by Veolia Environmental Services and Infinis, whose generators siphon gas from the site.

She added: “There have been no warnings or fines against Veolia or Inifinis. Nothing has improved.

“We are still getting gas escapes. We are no further on than we where this time last year.”
Councillor Alan Roughley, who, with fellow councillors Mike Buckley and Derek Heffernan spearheaded the meeting, said: “High Moor is a disaster.

“The EA has legal powers and could force the the agencies operating at the site to install sealed, comprehensive gas monitoring equipment. How exquisite if they could be fined £16,000 every day. Then we would really see some rapid action.”

Councillor Buckley said: “Long-suffering residents have been very patient but with continued problems and evasiveness of operators and regulator our patience is wearing very thin.”

And Councillor Heffernan added: “It seems the EA is not as vigilant as we thought. With the most recent rash of complaints I would have expected quite a number of spot checks in the last few weeks, not one a month.”

An EA spokeswoman, said: “High Moor is unique in having hydrogen sulphide monitoring as that is not standard practice for landfill sites.

“Specialist bespoke monitoring is not without its problems and we want to make sure new analysers will provide useful information before we install further devices.

“Our inspector has visited the site 10 times since April and had numerous meetings with the company. A major audit has been carried out on the Infinis compound.

“We plan to visit the site once a month, but increase frequency when necessary.

“We take High Moor the residents’ problems very seriously and have put proportionate resources in response to their concerns.”