‘Quarry smells are harming education’

I AM writing on behalf of the school community regarding the environmental hazard which is Walleys Quarry, run by Red Industries in Silverdale.

Our school is situated 1.2km away from the quarry along a valley, and suffers from odour problems on multiple occasions each week.

The smell is often most prevalent on arrival in the morning after the building has absorbed it over the previous evening and night.

We have had children complaining of the smell, being unable to concentrate, not wanting to play outside, and on at least five occasions members of staff have had to investigate as we have suspected a gas leak, only to realise that it was the smell from the quarry.

On arrival at the school, we have also had complaints from parents regarding the smell, and on one occasion a parent returned home with their child as they were not happy to leave them with us.

The smell hit its worst levels this Monday. On arrival at school at 7.30am, I was nearly physically sick at the smell and found it very difficult to breathe.

I had to make the decision not to allow any children into the school until we had allowed a period of time for ventilation.

Thankfully, we had enough time for ventilation before the beginning of the school day at 8.50am – if this had not been the case I may well have had to shut the school to children on this day.

I am aware that the weekend of February 27 and 28 saw a huge number of complaints from many residents, and I can totally understand why.

When the environmental pollution of the quarry’s activities impacts the education of local children, something must be done.

CATHERINE POINTON HEADTEACHER, ST GILES & ST GEORGE’S COFE ACADEMY