Campaigners vow to keep fighting for clean air around Walleys Quarry
It's as the OEP refuse to take further action on a community complaint
Last updated 15th Apr 2024
People campaigning for clean air around a controversial North Staffordshire landfill say they won't give up their fight in 2023.
Walleys Quarry in Silverdale has been at the centre of thousands of complaints over foul smelling fumes coming from around the site.
"It's really bad still. I think it's disgraceful." said Lee Bernadette-Walford, member of the Stop The Stink Fighting for Our Community group.
"A couple of weeks ago people were really really suffering and we've got some members of our facebook group that are really struggling at home."
"We're not going away, we want justice and we want answers"
Lee added: "It's the long term effects that I'm worried about."
It comes as The Office for Environmental Protection rejected acting on a community complaint about the Environment Agency's handling of Walleys Quarry.
In a statement issued to Greatest Hits Radio News, Helen Venn, Chief Regulatory Officer for the OEP, said:
“We have carried out a detailed assessment of the complaint we received regarding Walleys Quarry in Staffordshire. We have determined that the information provided does not indicate that there may have been a failure to comply with environmental law by a public body. We have therefore concluded that we will not take further enforcement action in relation to this complaint.
“The evidence we have reviewed suggests that the Environment Agency has reached decisions and initiated responses in a manner consistent with its discretionary powers.
“All complaints we receive are valuable sources of information and even when they are not progressed through to enforcement action, they inform the work across all of our functions to protect and improve the environment.”
The announcement comes as campaigners renew their calls for firmer and tougher action and take to the streets outside the Red Industries HQ on Berkeley Court in Newcastle.
"You can't escape it" said campaigner Audrey Young.
"My partner went away with work for eight weeks and didn't need his inhaler, he came back and he's really bad again.
"There'll be more pressure from us and pressure to not just Red, but to all the agencies." said Audrey.
An investigation by the Environment Agency into alleged illegal waste activities at sites operated by Walleys Quarry Limited and Red Industries Limited is ongoing.
Greatest Hits Radio News has approached the operator of Walleys Quarry and the Environment Agency for a response.
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