Environment officers look into border bad smell

For the past few weeks there have been growing complaints about a bad smell when in the area surrounding Hespin Wood waste site near Todhills, adjacent to the M6 motorway, less than three miles south of the Scottish border.

People travelling to and from Carlisle have noticed the pong and it was even picked up in the Gretna Green and Springfield area.

Now EA officers have been deployed to the area following the increased number of reports. They have identified an odour and say they will use enforcement powers if necessary.

However, as things stand, nobody is taking responsibility.

Seletia operate the landfill at the site and a company spokesman said: “Although Seletia sympathises with the public’s complaints for smells, it does not believe the smells are cause by the landfill operations.

“We are surrounded by other operators at the same site that generate waste related smells from the treatment of waste.”

Cumbria Waste Group and AW Jenkinson also have operations at Hespin Wood.

The former said no odours had been detected in its work area, while the latter say nothing it works with could produce a smell.

Cumberland Council said the issue was for the Environment Agency.

The EA said that last month they received 72 reports in regard to the site, and they want residents to continue reporting odour issues.

A spokesperson added: “People should not have to tolerate odours that affect their environment.

“Operators must prevent unacceptable odour and the rise in complaints shows this may not be happening which isn’t good enough.

“We are increasing our regulatory presence on site and will use all our available enforcement powers if we find the operator has breached its permit.”

Residents can report odour issues to the EA’s 24/7 hotline: 0800 807060.