Protesters have been making their voices heard outside an event organised by officials to update residents on work to resolve issues at Walleys Quarry.

Stop The Stink protestors brought banners, whistles and airhorns to the event which was organised by the Environment Agency (EA) and hosted at Newcastle fire station.

One protestor was even seen wearing a poo emoji outfit to convey dissatisfaction over the stench.

Officials from the borough council and UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England) were also in attendance to speak to locals.

Dr Mick Salt, who's been involved in supporting Stop The Stink in their legal battles, said it was good the event had happened but felt it hadn't necessarily provided all the answers people wanted.

He said: "It's good it's actually happened, to help inform those who aren't on social media. It was a good event to help people who perhaps don't follow it as closely as I do."

He is disappointed a recent leaflet sent by the EA to update people hadn't reached all residents however – something the Environment Agency is now looking into.

An event was being held at Newcastle fire station to update residents on the stench at Walleys Quarry (Google).

Dr Salt said the EA currently has two investigations currently underway and he's hoping to see progress on these as time goes on.

He said: We've got the regulatory investigation, I would hope to see some movement on that this year.

"Then there's the investigation into alleged illegal waste activity at Red Industries sites – that will be a longer process, you're talking years on that one."

He said the company is facing potentially group legal action from residents seeking compensation for issues associated with the landfill.

He said Stop The Stink are still protesting about the landfill, but organising more 'pop up protests' rather than large organised events.

He cautioned: "If the situation does worsen further than this, we could see those mass protest of 1,200 people again."

He said they wouldn't be blocking the gates to the site again, because that's been ruled out by an injunction brought by Red Industries, but more action was a possibility if things didn't improve.

Council leader Simon Tagg also said the event was important for local people, and feels it was well-attended.

He said: "I think it's really important we have this event, and really important the EA have instigated this.

"We've seen a good turnover of people coming in and demonstrating outside which is their right, to ask questions of the EA, the borough council team and UKHSA."

Earlier this month, protesters gathered in Newcastle town centre (LDRS).

He said council and Environment Agency staff were working hard on the issue, but conceded there is no quick solution.

He said: "I think historically mistakes were made on this site, and it's taking a long time to put those right.

"I think in the past – even probably in the recent past – things may have been going on, on this site, that are causing the present batch of odours."

He feels there is a hope once more of the site is capped the issue can be brought more under control.

The Environment Agency, which organised the event, refused to answer questions from journalists but instead released a statement about the event.

They said: "We were pleased to have had the opportunity to talk to members of the community about their experience, and about the ongoing work we are doing related to the situation at Walleys Quarry Limited.

"In total 47 people attended Tuesday's drop-in event to talk to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Police, the UK Health Security Agency and the Environment Agency.

"All partners remain committed to supporting residents and the work to ensure hydrogen sulphide levels continue to reduce."

A spokesperson for Walleys Quarry Ltd said the operator is making sustained progressed and working tirelessly to minimise odours.

They said: "Residents need only look to the Environment Agency's own reporting data to see the irrefutable evidence of substantial and sustained onsite progress to reduce emissions – this is as a result of the tireless efforts of Walleys Quarry Ltd.

"Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has recognised our improvements – noting the 'best practicable means' are in place at the site to control landfill gas and odour.

"Walleys Quarry Ltd remains dedicated to working with our neighbours to alleviate concerns and provide a clean, healthy and sustainable operation for our community."

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