Residents of Fleetwood, a picturesque seaside town, have taken to the streets in a dramatic display of distress, donning gasmasks and hazmat suits to protest the ongoing issues at a local landfill. The demonstrations highlight the community’s mounting frustration and fear over what they claim are severe health impacts stemming from noxious gases emitted by the Jameson Road landfill site.
“Stop the Stink”: A Community’s Cry for Help
The air in Fleetwood has been filled with a pervasive odour, described by locals as akin to rotten eggs, a constant reminder of the nearby landfill. This persistent stench is more than just an unpleasant nuisance; residents report a litany of health problems, including nosebleeds, persistent headaches, debilitating chest infections, nausea, and severe breathing difficulties. These ailments have become so widespread that some individuals, including children, have required hospitalisation. The impact on families is profound, with parents often forced to withdraw their children from school and nurseries due to illness.
Mounting Concerns and Official Notices
The Jameson Road landfill, operated by Transwaste, has been a source of contention for some time. In January, the Environment Agency issued an enforcement notice to Transwaste, mandating the operator to adequately cover areas of the landfill to mitigate odour risks. However, for the residents of Fleetwood, these measures have proven insufficient, with problems reportedly persisting and, in some cases, worsening.
Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP, Lorraine Beavers, has publicly lent her support to the community’s calls for an immediate closure of the site, stating that residents are at their “breaking point.” She has been vocal on social media, emphasising the need to hold Transwaste accountable for the ongoing issues.
“Action Against Jameson Road Landfill”: A Grassroots Movement
The frustration has coalesced into a powerful grassroots movement. Jess Brown, who established “Action Against Jameson Road Landfill” two years ago, now leads a group of over 4,400 members. This group has logged an astonishing 18,000 complaints against the company during this period. Brown alleges that Transwaste has breached its operating permit, primarily by failing to adequately manage the gas emissions from the site.
The personal toll is evident in Brown’s own family. Her mother, Janice, 67, has suffered recurrent chest infections, while her nine-year-old daughter, Maliha, experiences frequent sneezing fits, stinging eyes, and throat infections. “You cannot escape the smell,” Brown stated, likening the experience to being “gassed.” The inability to open windows or enjoy outdoor activities has significantly impacted daily life, turning even simple tasks like walking children to school into a “nightmare.” Brown questions the long-term health consequences and criticises what she sees as a lack of thorough investigation into the damage being inflicted on the community.
Questions of Accountability and Environmental Monitoring
Brown further raises concerns about the effectiveness of the air quality monitors in Fleetwood, suggesting that the data they provide is inadequate, particularly on days when the odour is at its most severe. She also points to a potential “conflict of interest” involving Wyre Council, the owner of the site, which reportedly receives £200,000 annually in rent from Transwaste. The economic implications are also significant, with concerns raised about the impact on house prices, local businesses, and tourism.
Personal Stories of Suffering
The health consequences are not limited to Jess Brown’s family. Richard Falcon, 54, who suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma, claims to have been hospitalised twice due to inhaling noxious gases. He attributes these hospitalisations to bacterial infections stemming from his respiratory issues. “Before 2024 I used to have the occasional chest infection but now I am getting two or three a month,” he reported, detailing a significant increase in his reliance on antibiotics. The “appalling, sulphury, gassy smell” is a constant, inescapable presence that is “getting worse every day.”
Another father, who wished to remain anonymous, shared the distressing experience of his children. His son was hospitalised with an unidentified, “weird infection,” having previously been a healthy child. Now, both his son and his 13-year-old daughter, who has pre-existing breathing problems, are experiencing nosebleeds, headaches, and respiratory issues. He described the situation as “pure evil,” highlighting the helplessness felt by residents unable to escape the pervasive odour.
Daniel Turner, a 30-year-old coroner’s undertaker, has also joined the protest. Having dealt with the aftermath of undiscovered bodies, he stated, “what is coming off the landfill is really bad.” He described the smell as so potent it hits the back of the throat and leaves him feeling nauseous, even though he has not personally experienced illness from it.
The Landfill’s History and Renewed Concerns
The Jameson Road landfill site was reopened by Transwaste in late 2023, having previously been closed in 2017. Investigations have revealed that the site was historically used for the legal disposal of waste, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a “forever chemical” with carcinogenic properties, which has since been banned. Residents suspect that the reopening of the site has disturbed previously buried waste, leading to the recent surge in unbearable odours.
The Environment Agency acknowledges that reopening long-inactive landfills can release gases like hydrogen sulphide, responsible for the “rotten egg” smell. However, they maintain that there are no identified health issues directly linked to the site.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Actions
The agency is investigating several potential causes for the increased odour, including weather conditions, the effects of interim capping works, the natural acceleration of waste decomposition, and operational management issues. They have stated that a combination of factors may be contributing to the problem and are continuing their assessment.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency emphasised, “The community should not have to tolerate odours that affect their environment.” They confirmed they are pressing the operator to implement permanent capping to prevent future emissions and are actively monitoring the situation on the ground. The agency has warned that further enforcement action will be taken if improvements are not observed.
Transwaste’s owners, Mercury Group, attribute the smells to “Cell 6” reaching its final contours and requiring permanent capping. They have submitted a proposal for permanent capping to the Environment Agency and are awaiting approval. The company expressed optimism about commencing permanent capping soon, pending consent. They also stated that independent air quality monitoring indicates that air quality in the area remains within World Health Organisation safety limits.
