The latest odour monitoring report for the Jameson Road area highlights five consecutive weeks of low odour activity, with findings from the week commencing 19 May showing that most detected odours were unlikely to have originated from the Jameson Road landfill.
Across 133 odour assessments conducted at eight key monitoring locations, 78 instances recorded no odour at all—a clear sign of ongoing improvement in ambient conditions. Of the odours that were recorded, the most frequently identified were associated with sewage, which accounted for 16 observations. Other occasional smells included perfume (10), fresh waste (9), fish (6), and a limited number of “rotten egg” or hydrogen sulphide events (6). Only a small number of these are linked to typical landfill emissions.
This week’s findings reflect a broader trend seen over the last month: odour detections are generally low in frequency and diverse in type, with many arising from sources unrelated to landfill activity. High sensitivity receptors such as Harbour Village, Springfield Terrace, and Broadwater Avenue recorded notable odour events. The most frequently reported odours at these locations were ‘sewage’ and ‘rotten eggs’. For instance, multiple intermittent hits were observed at Harbour Village, with associated humidity and wind direction patterns supporting the possibility of emissions from either the sewage works or the landfill boundary. Monitoring notes included visual confirmation of stagnant drainage along estuarine edges, likely to be a raw sewage outflow on at least one instance.
The diversity of odour types—including some surprising entries such as “perfume” and “compost”—suggests a complex mix of environmental and urban influences. Occasional reports of “fish” and “muck spreading” point to seasonal agricultural and marine activities, which are not uncommon in coastal and semi-rural settings like Fleetwood.
Monitoring teams continue to track odour types and patterns using structured observation rounds supported by handheld measurement tools. These assessments take into account wind direction, humidity, and barometric pressure to help attribute the origin of detected odours with greater accuracy.
The findings align with the broader conclusions of the Environment Agency’s recently published air quality report, which also points to minimal air quality impact in the area surrounding Jameson Road. While that study focused on pollutants, the odour data reinforces the picture of a stable local environment.
This level of detail helps us better understand not just how much odour is present, but what types we’re dealing with. That insight is essential for accurate source identification and effective response planning.
Looking ahead, odour monitoring at key receptors and around the site boundary will continue, particularly in areas where sewage-related odours have been more persistent. Meanwhile, the low overall number of landfill odour events suggests that mitigation measures at Jameson Road have so far been effective.
Total Odour Observations by Category (To Date)
Odour Breakdown at High Sensitivity Receptors
This table presents a breakdown of odour categories observed at locations correctly classified as high sensitivity during the week commencing 19 May 2025.
