FAMILIES living near a refuse landfill site who say they have been polluted with smells for more than a year may soon be savouring the sweet smell of success.

The Environment Agency has stepped into the row between Onyx environmental company, which runs the tip in Springfield Lane in Beaconsfield, and people in nearby roads.

Councillor Alan Walters, who has campaigned on residents' behalf said he hoped the move would prove what he and other people had been saying that the smell was just too much.

He said: "The tip has been particularly bad over the last week. Since last Tuesday I have kept a log of it and we have not had a day without smells. Last night I actually smelt it in the Old Town as well.

"There are times when I can actually smell the gas. That is a smell that you can taste as well. It lingers and it almost gets into clothes. It is the smell you get when there is a rubbish lorry outside your house crushing everything up inside

"It is just getting out of hand."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We have sent a man down there to find out what is going on and he will inspect the systems at the site and see if anything is out of place. As of yet nothing has turned up.

"We have had complaints from three or four people at the moment. If anyone does smell anything we would like them to get in touch with us."

A spokesman for Onyx said there had been massive investment at the site to prevent odours.

He said: "We view any issues relating to odour very seriously. The works carried out represent a significant investment and are intended to ensure there is no odour released from the site."

The Environment Agency can be contacted on 0800 80 70 60.

January 23, 2003 10:30