Concern over bad smells is at a low

Jul 30 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

THE number of complaints about bad smells in Ellesmere Port has dropped to its lowest point since records began.

Just 59 odour complaints were recorded last year compared to 450 per year at their peak in 1997 and 1998 with an average of 66 per year from 2000 to 2006.

The council has recorded all odour complaints since 1994 and has published the figures on its website.

Mike Whittaker, Head of Environmental Services for Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council said: “The town has changed considerably over the past 20 years and the old image of Ellesmere Port as an unattractive industrial town is no longer true.

“While there may still be occasions when industrial odours are noticeable, these instances are far fewer and less offensive than in the past.

“The job is not finished yet and the council, through its partnership with the Local Air Quality Forum and the Airwatch campaign, will continue to push for further improvement.”

He said tighter regulation of industrial emissions since the early 1990s have led to improvements as well as changes in agricultural practices.

The odour complaints figures can be found at www.epnbc.gov.uk