Controversial landfill site Walleys Quarry has been told to investigate an 'unacceptable' increase in gas emissions. Air quality monitoring facilities detected sharp rises in hydrogen sulphide levels in the week ending July 21, with complaints from the public also up on previous weeks.

H2S levels at Galingale View breached the 'annoyance' threshold 16.5 per cent of the time in Galingale View – up from 6.9 per cent in the last week in June, and the highest figure recorded at the site since March. The annoyance level was breached 7.5 per cent at Silverdale pumping station, and 7.2 per cent at Silverdale Cemetery.

Officials at the Environment Agency, which received 277 odour complaints during the week, have now demanded that Walleys Quarry Ltd find out the reasons for the increase in gas emissions.

The EA's weekly report states: "We recognise that there was an increase in odour complaints around Walleys Quarry in the week commencing 15 July 2024. The percentage of time that levels of H2S exceeded the odour annoyance guideline value also increased in comparison to the first two weeks of July 2024.

"This increase is unacceptable. We have contacted the operator and required them to investigate the cause. We continue to robustly regulate in accordance with our contain, capture, and destroy strategy, which requires proper control of fugitive emissions of landfill gas."

Walleys Quarry Ltd insists it is working to minimise the impact of the landfill site on residents (Google).

The figures in the weekly report are based on 'indicative and incomplete raw data', and the EA says they should be treated with caution as they will be subject to change.

In March, following a rise in gas emissions over the winter, Walleys Quarry was subjected to a suspension notice that temporarily barred it from accepting non-inert waste. The EA lifted this notice after just 12 days, saying it was satisified that the operator had taken steps to tackle the problem.

But residents living near the landfill say that the latest increase in odour problems shows that previous work to reduce emissions are not working. Stop the Stink campaigner Simmo Burgess tweeted: "If something is getting better, it should be going constantly down. This shows it has not worked. Nothing will until you close it down."

Walleys Quarry Ltd insists it is working to minimise the impact of the landfill site on residents.

A spokesperson for Walleys Quarry said: "The landfill site holds an environmental permit and is stringently regulated by the Environment Agency to ensure the onsite activities do not cause harm to human health or the environment. The management team recognise the impact that odours can have for local residents, and continually inspect the waste deliveries along with committing ongoing investment on the landfill to ensure that odour risks are managed and minimised. The team is focused on managing the site to minimise impacts to the community around the site and we will continue to do so."

Newcastle Borough Council is currently holding a scrutiny inquiry into the problems at Walleys Quarry. Residents, Silverdale Parish Council and a local MP were among those who gave evidence during sessions on Tuesday. The EA, the UK Health Security Agency and Newcastle MP Adam Jogee are due to attend a second meeting on August 14.

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