LOCALS KICK UP A STINK
Concerns over Quarry smell
A disgruntled Cambuslang pensioner and his likeminded neighbours are kicking up a stink about the sickening stench coming from a nearby quarry.
James Lindsay, 74, says he and his wife Margaret cannot enjoy their garden because of the overpowering odour emanating from the chimney at Morriston Quarry.
Over a period of 10 days re c e nt l y , the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) received no fewer than 15 complaints about the foul stink.
James says the residents of Morriston Park have had to endure this nasal nightmare for the four years the Hillhouse Quarry Group plant has been in operation.
And he claims tests, carried out in his garden by SEPA over several months following previous complaints, indicated that tar comprised 80 to 90 per cent of the dust samples collected by the agency’s equipment.
Labour MSP James Kelly, who says the stink “plagues the lives of local residents”, has written to SEPA to raise concerns on behalf of residents affected by the unpleasant smell from the Cambuslang facility.
Just over a year ago, SEPA completed a full review into the site and its processes following previous communications from Mr Kelly.
In an attempt to reduce the risk of emissions of the unwelcome odour, an extension was installed on to the main emissions stack at the site.
“Sometimes, it really does stink. The smell is unbelievable and we often cannot sit in the garden during nice weather,” said retired Hoover worker James.
“When the steam is coming out of the chimney and the wind is blowing towards us, that is when you get the smell.
“They have tried doing a couple of things to take it away, but they didn’t work.”
He says he’s spoken to a woman who lives on the estate who has a persistent cough which disappears when she visits her caravan.
“I don’t know if it is affecting our health or not,” continued James, who has photographs of the SEPA test results and says his garden furniture and external sills are often covered in a film of sandlike dust.
“If I am swallowing dust with 80 per cent tar in it, it cannot be doing me any good.
“The smell is stinking. We have to come in and shut doors and windows or it goes right through your house.
“When my wife went to hang the washing out, the house was full of it. It was getting beyond a joke at one time.”
MSP James Kelly said: “I have been down to the streets affected and have been struck by how powerful the smell can be.
“It is not fair to expect people to put up with this.
“This is not the first time I have had to take this issue up with SEPA.
“While I am grateful for the action and review that took place last year, it is clear that problems still persist and residents are still being negatively impacted by the operation of the site.
“I appreciate SEPA’s commitment to further action should permit non-compliance become a reoccurrence.
“However, any action must be taken immediately when complaints are lodged.
“The instance of 15 complaints over 10 separate days in recent months shows how much of a problem this has become for people living in the estate.”
The MSP added: “SEPA must take appropriate action now to prevent this matter continuing to plague the lives of local residents in the future.”
A spokesperson for the environmental agency said: “SEPA has received a number of odour complaints from residents near Hillhouse Quarry Group’s site (Glasgow Asphalt Plant) in Cambuslang .
“SEPA investigated and visited the area in response to these complaints and where evidence of non-compliance was found the appropriate enforcement action was undertaken.
“Since we notified the operator of the odour complaints, it has implemented further improvements to reduce the risk of odour from its processes being detected by nearby residents.
“Our officers will continue to have ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of these measures.
“Please continue to inform SEPA if offensive odour is present and we will use this information to inform our investigations.
“Please report using our online form at www.sepa.org.uk/report.”
Responding to the residents’ concerns, a spokesperson for Hillhouse Group said: “We are aware of the concerns raised and will continue to work closely with SEPA regarding any environmental matter at our Glasgow [Cambuslang] site.”