Three local authorities have called for a public inquiry into Environment Agency (EA) failures at Walleys Quarry.

Last week the EA revealed it hadn't properly calibrated its equipment measuring toxic gas being emitted from the landfill in Silverdale.

It's understood the issue has been ongoing since March 2021, meaning over two and a half years' worth of data from one set of equipment is now unreliable.

The EA says the issue only affects hydrogen sulphide, and data for all other gas emissions is unaffected.

Staffordshire County Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council have all declared they want a full investigation into what's gone wrong.

County council leader, Cllr Alan White said: "The Environment Agency is responsible for regulating Walleys Quarry on behalf of the people of Staffordshire, so this announcement is very troubling and raises several questions.

"I think we all wonder how such a basic, but crucial, mistake could happen and then remain unnoticed for so long, and I call now upon the Secretary of State to commission a public inquiry into the EA's governance of this site to provide residents with answers and to allow lessons to be learned for the future.

"The health and wellbeing of people in Newcastle-under-Lyme remains our primary concern and we will share the updated public health advice as it becomes available.

"I encourage people to attend the virtual public meeting on Monday if they have further questions."

Protesters gathered outside Newcastle fire station in June (LDRS).

Reiterating calls for an inquiry, Cllr Simon Tagg – leader of Newcastle borough council – said: "I call on the Secretary of State to launch an independent public inquiry to find out why this massive failure by the Environment Agency happened.

"Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has worked tirelessly, within the limits of its legal powers, to improve and resolve the situation and, reviewing our actions, from what we know at the moment, this does not alter any of the steps we have taken so far.

"Our priority has always been the wellbeing of residents affected by this problem and we await any updated from the UK Health Security Agency.

"I would also urge residents to attend Monday's virtual meeting to ask questions and hear more and continue to report odours when they experience."

Meanwhile, Cllr Amjid Wazir – deputy leader at Stoke-on-Trent City Council – has concerns about the company's other sites across North Staffordshire.

He said: "The situation regarding incorrectly low hydrogen sulphide readings by the Environment Agency at Walleys Quarry is appalling.

"We support Newcastle borough council in calling for a public inquiry. We want to know from the Environment Agency if this has any implications for any other sites in the city the Environment Agency may be monitoring.

"In the meantime, I want to reassure Stoke-on-Trent residents that the health risks of this are minimal."

Dr Mick Salt, who has been supporting campaigners in their fight against odour and health issues caused by the landfill said the mistake is disappointing but it could help strengthen the argument for more urgent action.

He said: "It's a calibration error. They use a calibrated gas source, and something's got awry which means the numbers are too low.

"I think what they should have done is an independent cross-check. They should have got a monitor from a completely different company, put it in exactly the same place, and compared the values.

"It's what we do in the nuclear industry. Whenever we calculate something, we always try and calculate that same number by a completely independent mechanism to try and weed out these sorts of errors.

"I'm pleased they've come forward and owned up to the error – it's disappointing, but at least it's on the side of actually putting more strength to the argument of the community.

"The hydrogen sulphide levels are higher than they reported, so it probably exceeded World Health Organisation's short term guidelines more frequently.

"Unfortunately for our health, it means the situation is worse, but in terms of making our argument then it makes the argument stronger so more robust action can be taken against Walleys Quarry."

He said the devices record information every five minutes, meaning unreliable data over 2.5 years would account for hundreds of thousands of faulty readings.

A spokesperson for Walleys Quarry Ltd said the company was surprised and disappointed with the EA's announcement.

They said: "We will await further information from them to allow to us to better understand the full implications of this development.

"The statement made by the EA does not detract from the work Walleys Quarry Ltd has been undertaking which has seen significant reductions in reporting concerns attributed to the site and its operations."

An EA spokesperson said: "Our immediate priority is the community and we are working closely with all partners, including those responsible for health advice.

"We remain committed to maintaining long-term improvements in emissions from the landfill. We continue to regulate the landfill operator to ensure it complies with its permit and implements all the measures required.

"We know local residents will be concerned and we are sorry this has happened. We will continue to be transparent and provide further information as soon as we can. We will be holding a virtual event on 9th October to talk to the community."

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