Residents living on the edge of Kirkby and the neighbouring village of Bickerstaffe have expressed serious concerns about their health due to ongoing problems with clouds of dust generated by lorries travelling to and from the Simonswood Industrial Estate. The issue has prompted Labour MPs for Knowsley and West Lancashire, Anneliese Midgley and Ashley Dalton, to write to roads minister Lilian Greenwood seeking intervention.
Campaigner Highlights Ongoing Issues
Neil Dunne, a founding member of the Simonswood Action Group who has campaigned on this matter for years, stated: "There is a lot of industrial waste and debris on some of these sites. You see big mounds of rubble, there’s asbestos in the open air, and a few years ago, we had the Environment Agency do checks because there was no HGV wheel washing going on." In March of this year, Mr Dunne welcomed the closure of two illegal waste sites that had been causing "rotten egg" and "sewage" smells, known as the "Simonswood stink". However, the smell has not completely disappeared. Mr Dunne noted: "There are other sites that are questionable, and the smell is still there. The smell wasn’t just because of the two sites that were closed down. There were other factors too; there are still the big mounds of rubble and waste there." He also mentioned that he has heard that sites on the industrial estate were used as landfills in the past, suggesting waste could be buried underground.
Health Concerns Including Nosebleeds and Headaches
Mr Dunne explained that there remain sites "of concern" at Simonswood, and he and his neighbours are worried about the dust blowing off the estate. "When these wagons come off these sites, they’re carrying dust. The regulations are that they should have their wheels washed so they’re not carrying that debris onto the main roads. Cars drive over it and it just comes up into the air, as well as it already being there via the wind. When it gets brought up it’s at head height, so everyone who is less than 10 feet tall, they’re obviously going to be breathing this in if they’re by the roadways." He added: "We’ve had people who live on the estate adjacent to the industrial estate, and they’ve had family and friends staying who’ve ended up having to go out of Kirkby to breathe. They’ve been getting nosebleeds, headaches." Mr Dunne and other residents are concerned that the dust and chemicals from the industrial estate could cause or worsen conditions like asthma, COPD, or certain types of cancer. Although no direct link has been established, air quality in Kirkby and Bickerstaffe is rated as 'fair' due to ground-level ozone, while nearby Huyton and Halewood enjoy 'excellent' air quality. In Liverpool city centre and West Derby, air quality is also 'fair' but due to nitrogen dioxide from vehicles, not ozone. Ozone is an irritating gas that can cause discomfort in the eyes, nose, and throat, and can penetrate the respiratory system causing coughs, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.
'Like the Wild West'
Mr Dunne reported that automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras were installed in Kirkby to monitor vehicles going to Simonswood, but this has shifted the problem to Bickerstaffe in West Lancashire. "So they’re getting obscene levels of traffic now. The vibrating wagons are causing cracks in the houses." He said that residents in Bickerstaffe have tried to speak to drivers travelling at high speed, but have been met with "angry reaction". Mr Dunne noted that a planning application for a wheel washing terminal at Simonswood has been submitted, which is "welcome news", but added: "The fact that it was not in place in the first place is a major worry for us. It shows a lack of regulation. It’s like the Wild West; it’s so dusty. It’s not tarmacked. There are fires on the estate probably just due to poor regulation. It just seems a bit lawless." He also expressed concern that when it rains, substances from the site could seep into the water source, and emphasised the need for top regulations for businesses using dangerous materials like asbestos and gypsum. On one pathway towards Stopgate, "the dust and the mud has built up over the kerbs. It just shows there been no cleanliness or upkeep. When the wagons are turning the sharp bends, they’ve got rubble on top, and the rubble’s falling and nearly hitting people as they go past." Mr Dunne wants "better transparency" from local authorities, stating: "The people in Bickerstaffe aren’t hearing what Knowsley Council are doing. People in Kirkby are not hearing what the West Lancs authority are doing. So people are being kept in the dark. Just be open."
MPs Seek Ministerial Meeting
In her letter to the minister, Ms Midgley wrote: "Our constituents are suffering major problems with the dust arising from Simonswood Industrial Estate – this problem has been going on for years, and the dust means they have to live with their windows sealed shut, they can’t play with their kids outside, and they can’t hang their washing out to dry." She added: "It’s become clear that there is a lack of accountability and ownership capable of addressing the issues with road conditions." She and Ms Dalton requested a meeting with the minister to clarify responsibilities for road maintenance around the estate and explore options for financial support. Mr Dunne commented: "If Anneliese is going to do what she’s doing now, which is great, we would want to see more progress than a strongly worded letter. We would like to see proper action being taken. If no one’s taking control, they should all take control. Why can’t the boroughs and authorities come together and just take ownership?" He added that he would like local residents to be invited to participate in discussions with Ms Midgley and local authority leaders. Knowsley and West Lancashire councils, as well as Ms Midgley, were contacted for comment. Residents affected by dust or odours are encouraged to contact the Environment Agency.
