Calls for waste plants to shutdown over 'grotesque' fly problem

A Bristol MP has written to Michael Gove to demand the powers to shut down waste plants in Avonmouth, labelling the fly problem there as ‘grotesque’.

Darren Jones has told the Environment Minister of how families have to eat under mosquito nets and constantly clean their homes, because of the plague of flies that descends upon Avonmouth periodically.

Last week, had families collecting and trapping hundreds of flies in a matter of hours in their homes in Avonmouth and also further afield in nearby Shirehampton, Lawrence Weston and Hallen.

They blamed a number of waste treatment plants in Avonmouth and said the problem has got progressively worse every year whenever it is muggy or hot.

Mr Jones’ letter said that residents are told ‘nothing further can be done’, but told Mr Gove that this ‘can’t be right’.

The Bristol North West MP said: “For a number of years, my constituents in communities bordering the Avonmouth/Severnside industrial area in Bristol North West have experienced an increase in the number of flies during periods of warmer weather.

Angela Storey, landlady of the Avonmouth Tavern says she has a big problem with a infestation of flies (Dan Regan/BristolLive)

“I was born and grew up in this area and this never used to be the case. In the past four or so years it has become a frequent occurrence whenever we have a hot spell, as we are currently experiencing,” he added.

“I can’t stress enough how frustrating this is for my constituents, resulting in families eating their meals under mosquito nets and having to constantly clean their homes whilst not being able to open windows during hot weather.

(Sarah Stacey)

“Local businesses are impacted too, not least because of grotesque fly strips full of dead flies.”

“Whilst this has become a problem year after year, I’m told that nothing further can be done. That can’t be right,” he added.

Bristol City Council has told residents that their monitoring has in the amount of flies in Avonmouth - something which .

Mr Jones said the only option was to ask for some waste businesses to be moved or shut down.

“I’m left with no other option but to request powers to move and/or close the worst offending sites,” he said.