STEPS being taken to address strong smells coming from Dunbar’s landfill site have been welcomed.

Concerns were raised earlier this year about the smell of methane and “foul eggs” at the site at Oxwellmains, to the south-east of the town.

The privately owned operation made national headlines last August when a fire there burned for five days and led to surrounding villages being engulfed in smoke.

An investigation found that the cause of the fire was likely due to an exploding lithium battery.

More recently, residents in Dunbar and the Lammermuir Hills have raised concerns about smells coming from the site.

READ MORE: Complaints of 'foul eggs' smell coming from Dunbar landfill site

Councillor Donna Collins, who lives near Innerwick, visited the site and met with Paul Ringham, business development manager at the firm Valencia, which owns the business.

The Dunbar and East Linton ward member said: “Sod’s law that our visit coincided with easterly winds rather than the more common westerlies, meaning that the unpleasant smells coming from the facility were greatly reduced.

“Mr Ringham agreed that a nasty odour was still evident around the A1 between Innerwick and Pinkerton.

“Onsite, it was interesting to see how the facility operates.

“The new sorting facility is now up and running and seems to be working well, including the removal of single-use vapes and batteries, which importantly helps to reduce fire risks.

“Over the past few weeks, they have recommenced landfill works and have also been renewing some of the plastic membrane which is used to capture the methane gas from the site.

“The uncovering of parts of the site to allow for repairs and replacement of the membrane, along with drilling new holes for collection pipes, has been predominantly responsible for the increased strong smells we are experiencing.

“Works are nearing completion and, weather permitting, should be finished within two weeks.

“In order to ensure that the new membrane has a gas-tight seal it requires welding, which is weather dependent.

“During my full site visit it was interesting and very pleasing to note that no smell was evident where the new membrane had been installed, but to the south east of the site where works are still to be completed it was a very different story and the odour was very evident.”

'The smell will go'

Mrs Collins, who highlighted her upcoming visit to Dunbar Community Council, thanked both the site manager and Valencia director for accompanying her on the visit.

She added: “It is likely that, over the coming weeks, as the works continue, we will experience some further unpleasant smells, but I feel reassured following my visit that, once the works are completed, the smell will go.

“Additionally, whilst on site, I took the opportunity of raising concerns around litter on and close to the facility.

“Whilst portable screens are helping to minimise litter spread, the facility also employs litter pickers, but admitted that more staff were required and they are currently advertising for staff.

“I am happy with what I have seen and the progress being made and I was pleased that Mr Ringham had travelled from London to attend our meeting.

“He has given me his direct contact details and I have assured him that I will not hesitate to use them should we experience further problems.”