'Stinky' landfill to be sealed 'within days'
BBCWork to seal a landfill site which has been the subject of complaints that it is causing a bad smell, likened to rotten eggs, will be completed "within the next few days", the operator has said.
The site on Jameson Road, in Fleetwood, Lancashire, has sparked more than 20,000 complaints about the smell emanating from it, with some nearby residents claiming it had affected their health.
Transwaste said "excellent progress" had been made towards resolving the issue, and works on a permanent covering "are 99% complete".
The Environment Agency (EA), which has pressed Transwaste to install capping to prevent the smells, acknowledged the level of complaints has fallen.
'Successful conclusion'
The EA said it had received 4,054 complaints in March, but that number has decreased each month, falling to 385 complaints in July.
Transwaste said: "In line with landfill best practice, soils are now being laid on top of the geo-textile membrane, providing an additional protective layer over the completed capping system and supporting the long-term stability and restoration of the site."
Engineers are expected to do a subsequent survey to ensure a "100% seal has been achieved".
"We recognise how important this milestone is to residents and the wider community, and we thank residents for their continued engagement and patience as we bring this important phase of work to a successful conclusion," a spokesman said.
A Lancashire County Council investigation found the bad odour was contributing to stress and sleep disturbance, although pollutant levels were below those associated with toxic harm.
It said there was a "meaningful and important distinction between odour nuisance and toxicological harm"
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.