As I write the industrial fire at the Ketley waste site is still burning. The emergency response has been incredible. Shropshire Fire & Rescue have been putting themselves at risk to tackle this serious incident and I thank them for everything they are doing.
Residents have long been concerned about the hazards of this site and have campaigned against it – as their MP, I have worked with them.
We now know the previous operators went into liquidation four years ago and the operating permit expired at that point. Residents report that the site was open and continuing to operate, with more waste being brought on site up until the time of the fire. The site did not have a permit for this purpose. It was unregulated.
Ketley & Overdale is a residential area, next to a major transport link, surrounded by natural habitats. Six schools had to close in the immediate aftermath. There are serious environmental consequences and there are health concerns. The homes of residents smell of acrid smoke, those with existing breathing conditions are fearful. Having visited residents, they tell me they have not had any contact from the Council. There is still no information on the air quality testing.
The authorities appear to be laying the blame at the feet of a company that went into liquidation four years ago. This ignores the fact that the site has been open, operating and used regularly, since that time without a permit.
This lovely neighbourhood has been polluted by the operation of an unregulated waste site which the authorities knew about, but it appears did nothing sufficient to prevent.
The clean-up could take many months, maybe years. The taxpayer is being asked to pick up the bill which could run to millions. Operating an illegal waste site is a waste crime and for good reason.
A full investigation must take place and those responsible for polluting this community properly held to account.
I want to see the Government getting tough on the perpetrators of waste crime and on those authorities that look the other way. The clean-up must be carried out as thoroughly and quickly as possible and the site never again used for waste.
Quality of life matters in Telford, it’s something we value. If the taxpayer is to fund the clean-up, rather than the site owner, then the site must be given to the community.
