The ‘stink’ from Walley’s Quarry is unacceptable, after two years of trying to avoid doing so it is ‘more than time for Red Industries to step up to the plate and sort out the problem.
During the county council elections in May our members and candidates spoke about their first-hand experience of living near to the quarry. They described feeling ‘embarrassed’ at having to explain the bad smell to visitors and said some of their neighbors had been forced to move to escape the ‘stink’.
North Staffs Green Party has joined with residents and Dr Mick Salt to gather evidence about the health and environmental problems caused by Walley’s Quarry. This has allowed us to make representations to Newcastle Borough Council, Red Industries, and the Environment Agency for interventions to be made at the site.
As a resident of Penkhull I have often had to keep my windows closed because of the smell, even though we are several miles away from the quarry. If elected I will use my position to draw attention to the impact the ‘stink’ is having on communities in Stoke-on-Trent as well as in Newcastle. I will also actively support the campaign for Red Industries to make the site safe.
The problems caused by the ‘stink’ has highlighted the wider issue of poor air quality, something Stoke-on-Trent has been plagued by for decades. Now is the time to take action and North Staffs Green Party has a clear plan for how we can do so.
If elected I will make working to improve our public transport system and creating a safer environment for people to walk and cycle a priority. I will also campaign for the council to increase the number of trees it plants as part of the process of applying to become a World Tree City and to protect its parks and green spaces from development in perpetuity.
Making the air we breathe cleaner is vital to improving public health and addressing the impact of climate change. By involving residents and communities in the process it will also make our city more prosperous and a nicer place to live.