David Davis urges the Environment Agency to take action over Gilberdyke Landfill
As reported by the Hull Daily Mail
‘Tougher action’ to tackle landfill stink
Long-suffering residents have been assured tougher action will be taken to stop the stink from a Gilberdyke tip.
The Environment Agency has said enforcement notices sent to City Plant Ltd have not brought about the improvements required.
Residents had been given assurances in March following talks between the Environment Agency, East Riding Council and operator City Plant Ltd.
Richard Clarke, environment manager at the agency, said they are continuing to investigate the landfill site.
He said: “We previously served enforcement notices on City Plant Ltd requiring the company to bring the site into compliance, but neither of these have been completed.
“Enforcement notices often bring about the improvements required, but in this case the notices have expired, so the Environment Agency is now pursuing further, tougher enforcement options.”
The agency said for legal reasons it cannot discuss the details of investigations while the case is active.
Mr Clarke said: “Waste operations of this nature can potentially have a big impact on the local environment and communities.
“This is why it is vital that waste operators work within environmental permitting rules to prevent harm to people or the environment.”
East Riding ward councillor Victoria Aitken has described the whole situation as a nightmare for residents.
“At the end of the day, things need to move a lot quicker so this nightmare for residents can end,” she said. “It is a horrendous smell and there is still an awful lot of work to do.
“Work is going too slowly to rectify an issue that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
“Residents are appalled by the situation. Tougher action needs to be taken.”
In February this year MP David Davis challenged the Environment Agency to come up with an enforceable plan to stop the stink.
The Haltemprice and Howden MP said: “It is two years since the agency promised to bring the operation of the Gilberdyke tip to a properly managed conclusion.
“The people of Newport and Gilberdyke deserve better and it is time that the Environment Agency lived up to its expectations.”
City Plant Ltd did not respond to a request to comment.