Councillor kicks up stink over smell at new school

0 - 0 • Published 10 Jun 2009 12:38 3 Comments

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THE new Alloa Academy certainly looks the part but the area surrounding it hasn"t been smelling too great recently.

A less than pleasant whiff has been noticeable of late coming from the area of the nearby water treatment works but it is hoped that work being carried out by Scottish Water will put an end to the stink.

Local councillor Mark English told the Advertiser he had been nearby during last week"s heat wave and thought the smell was quite strong.

Mr English said, 'It can"t be very pleasant for kids or teachers to be going to school and the smell being like that. Even now it has cooled down again there is still a smell - not to the same extent - but it was exacerbated by the warmer weather. I think this is an issue.'

On Monday of this week, days after the temperature dropped to a lower level, the smell was still noticeable outside the school.

In a written response to Mr English"s concerns Clackmannanshire Council"s Eileen Turnbull stated, 'The school was aware of the odour particularly on Monday (last Monday) and attempted to counter the odours using natural ventilation and air fresheners. This problem has not arisen previously.'

A sign placed on the school"s fence by Scottish Water apologises for any inconvenience caused by a £3 million investment in the construction of sewers.

Alloa Academy"s headteacher Ralph Barker said, 'It"s not really a problem but sometimes if the wind blows the wrong way there is a slight smell. One day last week is the first time I have noticed it, it is mainly just outside and not really a problem in school. I am confident it will be sorted out.'

A spokesperson from Scottish Water has urged locals with complaints over the smell to note the time it occurred and call their contact centre to help them minimise future odours.

The spokesperson added, 'Scottish Water Solutions are finishing off work at Alloa waste water treatment works to install £900,000 of new equipment. This project will be completed in approximately one month"s time and is a capital maintenance initiative to ensure the works serve the local community for years to come.

'On 31 March 2008 Scottish Water Solutions completed a £1.3 million project to install an odour control system for the sludge storage tanks. This consisted of biological and carbon filters and new glass coated steel holding tanks for sludge.

'Our dedicated team at Alloa waste water treatment works are constantly working to ensure the system operates normally and any odours are managed effectively.'

Mr English has also raised concerns over the mess caused by hundreds of seagulls which gather near to the school and the glassworks at the foot of Lime Tree Walk.

He said, 'There would seem to be a problem with the amount of poop affecting the school building, surrounding pathways and parked cars. I don"t think there will be an environmental health problem but it is a nuisance and hopefully a solution can be found. The problems were known before the school went down there.'

Ms Turnbull responded to Mr English"s comments by writing, 'The seagull population that nest on the UG roof is a problem.

'Amey have tried to move the birds away using natural methods - a falconry expert brought along a hawk but with only limited effect. Amey are trying to move the nesting site. Amey regularly clean the building and front entrance to ensure any pollutants are eliminated. A more permanent method to discourage the birds from nesting near the school is being reviewed.'

The Scottish Water contact centre can be reached to report smells from the treatment works by phoning 0845 601 88 55.

This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 18 Jun 09

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robert
Unregistered User
Jun 14, 11:21
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the smells been around that area few years, they have made tryed to solve this in the past by spraying air freshner out. and as long as the plants their it will continuernshurely this would of been pre known to the people building the school. or if they didn't know so why we paying them our tax money to not do their job right

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Jamie W
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Jul 28, 15:05
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Why the fuss about the stink now? As Robert says above the smell's ben around the area for a number of years. The smell was around the area at the planning stage of the school. Did Mark English "raise a stick" about possible smells back then?

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Aloha
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Jan 6, 14:32
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The council didn't care the area the school was built in for vandalism so why would they care about a smell. The only reason the school was built there is because who else would want to build private houses/businesses in that area where crime and vandalism is rife even though the land was so cheap for the stated reasons. The old site was a good size why didn't they just build behind the old one like they did at lornshill. The reason they didn't build behind the old one is because of its prime location for private houses. Theres 2 possiblilities, the council didn't do their job properly (makes a change...not) or their corrupt but my theory is both.

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