'Parbold pong' is getting worse

A local MP has taken up the issue over the '˜Parbold Pong' with the water regulator, Ofwat.
West Lancashire MP Rosie CooperWest Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper
West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper

For 20 years, residents of Parbold and Appley Bridge complain they have had to endure foul smelling odour from the nearby Wigan Wastewater Treatment Works.

West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has previously met with parish councillors including Parbold’s Chair, residents and United Utilities to try get a permanent solution to the ongoing situation.

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However, despite repeated assurances and United Utilities undertaking work on the site, after short periods of respite the smells reappear.

United Utilities have failed to keep their promises to find a permanent solution to eradicate the smell from the village.

Ms Cooper said: “Residents are angry and I completely understand why, this situation where they can’t enjoy living in their own houses, using their gardens and accessing local amenities without being subjected to this foul odour is totally unacceptable. It cannot go on!

“The parish council have done all they can and followed the formal channels meeting with and negotiating with United Utilities, but they feel that have just been abandoned by all the agencies in their quest for fresh, clean air.

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“Both the Environment Agency and West Lancashire Borough Council either can’t or won’t take any serious enforcement action against the operators United Utilities, leaving local residents of Parbold and Appley Bridge to suffer.

“I have raised this issue with the Chief Executive of Ofwat, who regulate United Utilities, calling on them to use their influence to force UU to take urgent permanent remedial action.”