Residents need no longer complete diary sheets or file witness statements.
Anglian Water (AW) have withdrawn their appeal against Central Bedfordshire Council’s (CBC) Abatement Notice and presented a timetable that states they will have solved the issue by the end of November this year.
In fact, temporary measures taken by Anglian Water have improved the situation considerably.
The decision to withdraw the appeal notice was given at a meeting of lawyers representing both sides. At that meeting, AW presented their improvement work proposals. As a result, CBC have withdrawn the original Abatement Notice and re-issued one that includes the timetable of events. AW lawyers have stated that they accept this notice.
So, does this mean that the awful smell has evaporated that stopped many residents enjoying the comforts of their gardens in the heady few days of summer? That cannot be guaranteed as there may be occasions when the smell re-appears. In those instances, residents are urged to contact AW via their Facebook page as this is monitored regularly by them. They should also notify CBC as previously.
CBC are now in possession of the report from their independent consultant appointed to challenge AW should the matter have come to court. This recommends that AW carry out work in addition to what they plan as the expert states that AW are falling short of recommended good practice.
Although it has taken many months to reach this stage, FPC would like to thank MP Alistair Burt, CBC officers and ward Councillor Steve Dixon for their diligence in the matter and their efforts to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. AW are a very large private company who do not react to criticism easily and a lot of effort has gone into getting them to agree to take action.
AW officials will be at The Fairfield Parish Annual meeting when they will make a statement and answer questions from residents. The meeting will be on Thursday May 4 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.
Last modified: April 25, 2017