THE Environment Agency is assuring residents that work is being done to resolve strong smells coming from a recycling facility, following numerous complaints.

This week Star readers voiced fresh complaints about odours emanating from the Veolia site situated on Stafford Road, Ravenhead.

Previous reports highlighted that the source of the odours relates to a drying operation of the waste glass received at the site, which has been operational since November 2017.

One reader said: "The smell spreads across the borough and is unbearable.

"Residents of Factory Row and other nearby streets cannot open windows or spend any time outside their homes or in gardens because of the smell.

"It is causing headaches and some have vomited because of the intensity when the smell is at its worst. It is completely unacceptable. People are getting tired of excuses."

Veolia and the Enviornment Agency have confirmed they are working together to resolve the issue and that delays have, in part, been caused by a need to increase water capacity on site.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “The Environment Agency has been working with Veolia E S (UK) Ltd to resolve odour issues.

"After receiving odour reports about the site we instructed them to investigate and outline how they would reduce odours in accordance with their permit.

“Veolia commissioned an external company to undertake an odour report to identify the source and reduce odours. They have subsequently submitted an Action Plan to the Environment Agency detailing solutions.

"This has met some delays as they needed to increase water capacity on site, which has now been done. Veolia are currently testing equipment to be fully operational shortly.

"Once fully up and running, the Environment Agency will monitor the reports of odour to assess if they have worked. We encourage residents to report environmental issues to our hotline on 0800 70 60 50.”

A Veolia spokesperson added: "Veolia is actively working with the Environment Agency on improvements to prevent and reduce any detectable odour.

"Whilst we progress with the improvements to resolve this issue at source; we will continue to monitor odour levels at the facility."