Sir Keir Starmer deeply concerned about Walleys Quarry
The Labour leader discussed the Staffordshire landfill in Newcastle
Last updated 13th Apr 2022
Sir Keir Starmer is wading in on calls for better regulation of a controversial Staffordshire landfill blamed for plaguing the community with noxious fumes.
Walleys Quarry in Silverdale is the centre of tens of thousands of complaints from people across North Staffordshire and is currently under investigation by the Environment Agency over alleged illegal waste activities at the site.
On a visit to KMF Precision Sheet Metal Ltd in Newcastle, Greatest Hits Radio News reporter Adam Smith met with the Labour leader to discuss the Silverdale landfill.
"We absolutely need to get to the bottom of it and ensure that the agencies have resources they need to deal with it" said Sir Starmer.
"I was up here in November, and that's when I was told in detail what was happening at the Quarry and it's obviously deeply concerning. This has come up on a number of occasions for me, and I think that just underlines how important it is for local people and completely understandably so."
We asked the Labour leader if the Environment Agency is fit for purpose in its current state, given the significant impact on the community, particularly in relation to health, and the number of permit breaches at the site.
"I have a deep sense of how concerning this quarry is"
Sir Starmer said: "I think the Environment Agency needs more resources to do the job it needs to do properly.
"I am concerned about what I've heard about the quarry. This is not for the first time - this came up on my previous visits here and it's obviously a huge cause for concern and we've absolutely got to get to the bottom of it and get it sorted out for local people."
"I don't think delaying this is helping anybody, but the Environment Agency as we all know, has not had the resources it's needed over recent years."
It comes as news comes to light that the operator of Walleys Quarry (formerly Red Industries Ltd) breached its compliance permit a further four times in January. This information was obtained by a Stop The Stink campaigner via a freedom of information request.
Out of the four breaches, three are of the most serious category C1 for the first time in the history of the site.
"I'll take away from today exactly what I took away in November, which is a deep sense that something needs to be done about it." added Sir Starmer.
"Clearly something needs to be done in relation to this quarry. I've heard that message, I hope others have and actually get on with action so that next time I'm here, we'll be talking about what's been done rather than what needs to be done."
In a statement, the operator of the landfill site said:
"Walleys Quarry Ltd totally rejects any accusation of impropriety.
"In respect of alleged environmental permit breaches, we have made full representations by way of appeal to the Environment Agency, disputing their findings.
"We continue to use all avenues of further appeal open to us - including taking legal action - to establish the true facts."
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