Statement in response to Environment Agency’s publication of revised air quality data from Walleys Quarry
Following EA publication of revised data showing increases of Hydrogen Sulphide levels at monitoring stations near Walleys Quarry, Simon Tagg, the Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, noted
- relative increases in recorded levels at MMF1 and MMF2 were marked, although MMF9 remains the monitor with the highest overall readings;
- Some data from 2021 has not been recalculated;
- The UK Health Security Agency has qualified its health advice because it does not have accurate data from one of the worst periods.
Simon Tagg said:
Residents have lived with the turmoil and upset of this problem of gas odours from Walleys Quarry for too long, and these months of delay and uncertainty while the flawed air quality figures have been recalculated has only added to their distress.
We know that they suffer sleepless nights and breathing difficulties, that being in this situation in their own homes affects their wellbeing and that we have a situation where parents find themselves trying to stop their children from playing in the garden.
The Environment Agency is the principal regulatory body for Walleys Quarry and for years now, based on its monitoring, it has been telling us that the situation is in hand and that improvements are being made.
We note the latest advice from the UK Health Security Agency remains that the likely impact on long term health remains low, however whole communities remain plagued by these foul odours and this council remains committed to seeing this site closed, fully capped off and restored.
There also needs to be a full public inquiry into the regulatory failure of the Environment Agency over a long period.”
Notes to Editors
In April Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council announced it was preparing legal action against the operators of Walleys Quarry landfill site for alleged breaches of an Abatement Notice.
The Council wrote to the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) requesting permission to take the legal action because DEFRA oversees the Environment Agency – which is the body responsible for regulating the site. In July Steve Reed OBE, Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) granted permission to proceed.
A special Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council scrutiny committee recently held two days of hearings to gather evidence from the community and those dealing with the landfill site about the problems, missed opportunities and next steps. A report will be produced later this year.