Fleetwood Residents Demand Action Over Foul Odor from Landfill

Residents of Fleetwood, Lancashire, are facing a severe public health and environmental crisis due to the overwhelming stench emanating from the reopened Transwaste landfill site on Jameson Road. Since its reopening in late 2023, the landfill has generated over 20,000 complaints to the Environment Agency (EA), with many locals describing the odor as akin to "bin juice," rotten eggs, and animal excrement. The toxic gas hydrogen sulphide has been identified as the primary culprit, leading to reports of health issues such as headaches, vomiting, and respiratory problems among residents.

Fleetwood Residents Outraged Over Foul Landfill Odor

Local residents have expressed outrage over the situation, feeling that their quality of life is being severely compromised. Dave McPartlin, headteacher of Flakefleet Primary School, noted that the smell has become so intrusive that children are refusing to play outside. Allison Rowe, a resident with chronic lung conditions, linked her health issues to the landfill's operations, stating, “It’s an abomination... The authorities need to protect the people.” The community's concerns are compounded by the fact that Fleetwood has some of the most deprived neighborhoods in England, where health conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prevalent.

The Guardian

Transwaste, the operator of the landfill, has begun installing a permanent barrier to mitigate the odor, although this work has faced delays due to adverse weather conditions. The company claims to comply with all regulations and asserts that many odor issues arose from the site's reopening. However, local MP Lorraine Beavers has criticized Transwaste, labeling them as “crooks” and demanding accountability for the ongoing crisis. The EA has stated that it is actively monitoring the situation and pressing Transwaste to implement measures to reduce odors.

The Guardian

Residents have voiced frustration with the EA and local authorities, feeling that their complaints have been met with indifference. Dr. Barbara Kneale, a local GP, expressed that the community is being treated with contempt, stating, “Nobody’s taking it seriously. They just think we should put up with it.” The EA has indicated that further enforcement action may be taken if improvements are not observed, but residents are skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures.

The Guardian

• “It’s disgusting and it’s particularly bad when the weather tends to be nice, so just as people want to get fresh air you get this really offensive, intrusive smell that just lingers,” — Dave McPartlin, Headteacher

The Guardian

• “The smell is worse than ever and is destroying lives and livelihoods [and] I will not rest until the site is shut down.” — Lorraine Beavers, MP

The Guardian

• “Nobody’s taking it seriously. They just think we should put up with it,” — Dr. Barbara Kneale, Local GP

The Guardian

The community continues to organize protests and gather evidence to push for the permanent closure of the landfill site. As the situation develops, residents remain vigilant, demanding immediate action to address the ongoing health and environmental crisis in Fleetwood.

Fleetwood Residents Outraged Over Foul Landfill Odor