The saga of who will take responsibility for the abandoned landfill site at Tarbolton has become a little clearer after MSP Brian Whittle received confirmation from the Scottish Government that SEPA are working to establish the costs and practicalities of maintaining the site and tackling exiting pollution problems.
The South Scotland MSP wrote to Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham MSP highlighting the ongoing issues at the site, which has gone unmaintained since its operators went into liquidation. The lack of flaring – burning off gases emitted by the decomposing waste – or management of contaminated water has led to local residents complaining about strong odours and residue entering nearby streams and rivers.
Now MSP Brian wants to see a plan in place before the worst of the winter weather arrives and heavier rainfall increases the risk of more contaminated water escaping the site. In her reply to Brian’s letter, the Environment Secretary confirmed that SEPA and the Scottish Government were funding a study to determine what steps were required but warned that a question remained over who would fund the work since the operating company was in liquidation and unlikely to have enough money to cover the costs.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“While I welcome confirmation that SEPA and the Scottish Government are putting together a plan of action, it means nothing until the funding is found and work starts on site. It’s already been well over a year since the operator walked off the site and in all that time there’s been no maintenance or action to reduce the impact of pollution on surrounding properties.
I’ve visited the site myself and have seen the problems first hand. Just because the site isn’t working, the contents of the landfill don’t stop decaying and reacting with each other and without even the most basic maintenance or management these problems are only going to get worse, especially with wet winter weather.
I know many local residents have been affected by the smells and water running off the site and I’ll continue my dialogue with SEPA and the Scottish Government.
We need a detailed and fully funded plan in place as soon as possible.”
