Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
HORDE OF THE FLIES RETURNS
An under fire recycling plant in Coatbridge has been given a “final warning” by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) after a plague of flies returned to Shawhead for the second time in a year.
Residents of the estate beside the Hagmill Road site have been left fuming after their homes were invaded by the pests, leaving some unable to prepare food in their kitchens.
Last September, the Advertiser reported that GBS Recycling had its licence suspended after stockpiling waste in excess of the permitted time limit.
Now a SEPA investigation has once again found the company to be in breach of guidelines.
A spokesperson said: “SEPA has carried out a number of inspections of the facility following initial complaints of flies in the Shawhead area on June 4.
“Officers substantiated that waste stockpiles had been stored in excess of the time limit allowed under their waste management licence, in addition to the presence of flies on site.
“SEPA have emphasised the need for adequate pest control to take place as soon as possible to eliminate the impact of flies on the local community and have issued a final warning letter to ensure remaining waste on site is removed this week.
“SEPA officers wi l l continue to monitor the site and may consider further enforcement to resolve the issue.”
Despite this, residents are demanding urgent action as they fear another summer of torment.
A problem- solving Facebook group, The Catcher of the Flies, was created last September and is still going strong with more than 400 active members.
Administrator Keirsten Smith lives on Dunnotar Avenue, only a few hundred metres from the centre.
She told the Advertiser: “Something needs done as we’re simply not having it any more.
“This is not an industrial site, it’s an estate for families.
“It’s frustrating and is giving people sleepless nights. All the residents need to get together and make sure it’s sorted.
“It’s at the stage now where it is hard to cook meals or even make a cup of tea without interference from flies.”
Keirsten continued: “Older people live here too, including my mum, who has phoned me in tears saying she can’t handle it any more.
“It doesn’t matter what we do; the flies get in and proper action against GBS needs to be taken.
“If people are unhappy with the situation they need to phone SEPA, as the more calls they receive the more they will fight to fix it.”
Keirsten’s mum Veronia, 73, said: “It’s not sympathy we want, it’s action.
“I killed 100 flies over the weekend, I thought I was going out of my mind.”
Caroline McKelvie, who also takes an active role in the Facebook group, added: “It’s not just frustrating, it’s disgusting.
“I’m going to have to end up repainting my home because of the splatters!
“When you can’t even make a cup of tea or have visitors in your home you kn know it has gone too far.”
GBS director Tavis M McCabe insists hi his company has si significantly reduced th the amount of waste on si site from 1500 tonnes last ye year to 150 tonnes.
He said: “I’ve been keeping in line with pest control regulations and I take it very seriously.
“I’m not going out o of my way to create problems but we are a waste management com company and every site has its issues.
“I don’t believe I’m doing anything I’m not entitled to and hopefully the situation will improve if we keep within the parameters of our licence.”
Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor added: “I’m concerned to hear residents have been experiencing problems with flies again.
“The owners of the company worked hard with SEPA last year to eradicate the problem and I have been in touch with both GBS and SEPA to find out what is being done to ensure that the scale of last year’s infestation isn’t repeated.
“I will also be looking to have a meeting with GBS and SEPA to discuss this situation as it is clear that this ongoing infestation and disruption to the lives of the local people cannot continue.”
Something needs done. We’re simply not having it any more