Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsley and Eccles South, has raised a number of concerns about the removal of waste from Whites Recycling Plant in Eccles in a debate she called in Westminster to discuss problems at the site.

During the debate, Barbara asked why the Environment Agency had failed on many occasions to provide the swift and urgent action needed to address the levels of nuisance and more serious environmental concerns being caused to residents living near the site.

Barbara understands that the owners of the site, Peel Holdings, are now faced with an enormous task in dealing with the accumulation of 20,000 tonnes of waste. There are also   a number of health and safety concerns including fire risk, the removal of hazardous material and the control of vermin, flies and odour as the waste is removed.

Barbara said:

“It is unacceptable that people in Barton living near this site have experienced years of disruption, particularly in summer when the dust and flies from the site created a big issue for local people.

“Ward councillors, David Jolley and John Mullen, have raised issues about this site for years. I raised the issues which the site caused in summer months with both the Environment Agency and DEFRA Ministers, however we did not see the swift and robust action I had called for. Instead, problems at the site were allowed to drag on.

“I understand that Peel Holdings face an enormous task in clearing the site of this very large quantity of waste. I have been told that immediate hazards are being dealt with but I will continue to argue for the site to be cleared as quickly as possible.”

Picture courtesy of SalfordOnline.com