OSWALDTWISTLE WASTE PROBLEM

Hyndburn Borough Council is continuing to work closely with the Environment Agency to deal with the alleged illegal dumping of approximately 4000 bales of household and commercial waste at the former Nippa chemicals site in Oswaldtwistle.

Following discussions with the landowner and Blakeley’s last Thursday, work began on site this morning to remove the waste. Approximately 300 tonnes have already have been removed and it is expected that around 500 tonnes will be removed each day from here on until the site is cleared of the bales. We understand that it is Blakeley’s intention that most of the waste should be taken to a landfill disposal site in Pilsworth.

At this stage there are indications that the pesticides being used to kill the flies at the site are proving effective and there has been a major reduction in the volume of complaints generated as a result. This will continue to be monitored throughout the removal operation. At this point in time there is no evidence from the tests that have been carried out that the activities on site have resulted in any additional pollution to the water course at Lottice Brook but this is something that the Environment Agency will continue to test and monitor over coming weeks.

While HBC appreciate that there is a lot of public interest in what is happening, it is requested that people please refrain from entering the site as there are deep ditches and other potential hazards that could expose members of the public to risk.