Tip stench sparks new complaints

Diane Bolan with husband David at High Moor

A CAMPAIGNING housewife is demanding answers from the boss of a Government watchdog over noxious smells that ruined her family’s Christmas and New Year.

Mother-of-two Diane Bolan claims gas escaping from High Moor tip at Scouthead was one of the worst leaks in years.

She has now written to Bill Darbyshire, the Environment Agency’s boss for Greater Manchester, outlining her complaints.

Mrs Bolan lives with her builder husband, David, and their two sons on a 13-acre farm backing on to the tip.

In her letter, she said they had complained about the gas 27 times, including on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

She said: “On January 6 we were woken at 7am as the gas was unbearable and in all our bedrooms.

“There was not a room in the house where we could breathe. We opened the window in the bedroom and the stench outside was unbelievable.”

Mrs Bolan, a fierce anti-tip campaigner, says neighbours were physically sick with the stench.

Control

“We have been told that when the tip was capped things would get better. It’s not the case — it has got worse.

“We have been told by the Environment Agency of the so-called improvements that have been made by Veolia, the waste management company, but it is obvious none are working.

“Where do we go from here? We have a right to live in a clean, safe environment.”

Ward councillor Alan Roughley said: “The high intensity stench during the cold weather over the festive period proves, once again, the operators cannot control what is happening.

“New thinking is needed and perhaps the Environment Agency should start to come up with solutions that will indeed help protect the environment.”

A spokesman for Veolia Environmental Service said they had carried out detailed investigations at the site and believe a dislodged pipe in the gas extraction system caused the problem on January 6.

He said: “Two subsequent perimeter inspections of the site with the Environment Agency that afternoon confirmed we had resolved the problem.

“We now have our own externally manned 24-hour helpline on 0800-048 2704 and every time we receive a call we arrange for it to be investigated .”

Dave Marshall, from the Environment Agency, said officers spent two days in and around the site due to raised levels of hydrogen sulphide gas.

He said: “Environment Agency staff responded quickly and as a direct result two enforcement notices have been issued to Veolia.

“This is a serious matter, and we will continue to ensure the improvements needed are made by the operator.

“We will be continuing to visit the site out of normal hours to check on conditions in the area.

“Our monitors show that above normal levels of hydrogen sulphide appear to be intermittent and more infrequent, rather than constant. However, the raised levels are unacceptable .”