WE'VE been hearing stories of a towering pile of waste building up in Salford near the University, just off of Chapel Street.
So we went to take a look and this is what we found:
Salford Rubbish Mountain
Salford Rubbish Mountain
The view from Chapel Street
One of nineteen fly bags
Urgh.
That can’t be healthy. The Environment Agency have just slapped a ban on Land Restoration (Northern) Limited - the company responsible for this eye (and nose) sore:
“We can confirm we have notified Land Restoration (Northern) Limited of our decision to suspend acceptance or deposit of waste from 18:00 on 14 August 2013”, said a spokesman from the Environment Agency, “This follows extensive investigations into odour, dust and fly issues in the area around the site.”
Mayor Ian StewartUnsurprisingly, Land Restoration (Northern) Limited, were unavailable for comment.
Salford City Mayor, Ian Stewart, however, was more than happy to vent his frustration: “It’s appalling that the owners have let the site get in this condition and create such misery for local residents. They need to clean up their act – and fast.
“I’m pleased the Environment Agency has slapped a ban on them taking in more rubbish and ordered them to deal with what is already on site.
“We will continue to work with them to make sure this disgusting mess is sorted out so local residents don’t have to suffer any more.”
Beetham Tower has 47 storeys, Salford's huge crap pile has five
So what did local residents have to say about this fifteen metre high escalating pile of crap right on their doorstep?
“It’s awful. Just fucking awful”, said Graham (he requested that his surname and age be undisclosed) who we managed to collar on Oldfield Road during our visit, “That’s been looking like that for months and months, I can’t believe it’s taken them this long to do something about it. It stinks.”
He's right, the scent was distinct from at least 100 metres away, and visible from much further.
“We had to close every door and window in this cabin because of flies and the smell”, said an older man working close by who wished to remain unnamed, “can you imagine that in this heat we’ve had.”
The cabin can’t have been larger than 2m x 4m. The thought of being holed up in there during recent highs of 30°C doesn’t bare thinking about.
Infestations have been a major issue around the site, just look at this:
“When they start digging, the smell and dust is so bad that you don’t have a choice. We can’t just leave.”
He continued, “There’s girls in that factory at the back packing food that have actually vomited at work because of the smell.
“I was speaking to a guy that works there and he doesn’t reckon the company has even got enough money to get rid of it all.”
Leaving us with two burning questions:
How long have Land Restoration (Northern) Limited got to clean up their mess?
Well, having got our hands on the suspension notice served to the company by the Environment Agency, the schedule that has been set out by the agency dictates that:
- All waste that is older than seven days must be removed from the site by 1 November 2013.
- Waste heights must be reduced to five metres and no more than 100 tonnes in volume by 31 November 2013.
- All non-hazardous waste shall be stored and treated on areas of site with impermeable surface and sealed drainage by 31 November 2013.
(Curious deadlines considering there are but 30 days in November)
What happens if the rumours are founded and the company cannot afford to meet the terms of the notice? Who is responsible should the company file for bankruptcy?
Well, a spokesman for the Salford City Council has since told us that is a question for the Environmental Agency, and the Environmental Agency are yet to get back to us on this one.
So for the time being keep those noses pegged and those swatters handy.
Follow David Blake on Twitter @david8blake
