Fly invasion ‘ruining lives' in Leamington Spa
Homeowners in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, have described being trapped indoors by the infestation, which happens each summer.
Some have sold up and moved out of the area because of the problem, which has also led to a 'rancid toxic smell' lingering in parts of the town.
Parents said they were now draping fly nets over cots, and that children could not eat dinner without flies near their mouths. Others have reported falling ill.
The problem was raised in Parliament by Matt Western, the MP for Warwick and Leamington Spa, who called the problem – which affects around 10,000 people – a 'public health risk'.
Richard Manly, 37, a local welder, said: 'It's been nightmarish, really. These flies have left people gagging and choking, even kids and babies in their cots and beds.
'Drivers and cyclists have been sick getting a mouthful while going down the street, some are being sick. It's a crazy situation and we can't believe it's been allowed to go on.
'I go to Wickes quite often and workers say customers are staying away because of the smell. I know pubs, restaurants and other businesses have a similar issues because of both the flies and the smell.'
Locals said the problem began around three years ago and has got progressively worse. Those living around the Heathcote area said they cannot go in their gardens and have resorted to filling their homes with fly strips and zappers.
'The smell is quite repulsive'
Many residents have blamed a nearby recycling plant owned by Amcor, formerly known as Berry Circular Polymers, which is regulated by the Environment Agency.
Kevin Shanahan, a retired law teacher, 64, said: 'It's the recycling business. Someone said the waste comes dirty and it attracts the flies.
'A man who works nearby to the unit says the plastic is brought in dirty and then it's left outside to fester. The smell is quite repulsive. We can't enjoy our homes as we can't go in our gardens or open the windows because of the flies and the smell.'
Retired cleaning company owner Robert Horely, 69, added: 'We have the problem every year and it lasts for months.
'We have fly strips hanging down that are covered, you can't see a space on them – it's that bad. You can't go outside in the summer, when you do there's flies around you. You can't eat outside.
'Local pubs were having problems. A family went for a meal and they had to abandon their food as the flies were all over their food.
'People have been struggling to sleep as there's flies crawling all over you. How do you get them out?
'Plus this smell, which again appears to be coming from the same site. It's not a very pleasant smell, and quite strong at times. It's between a gone off, eggy disinfectant-type smell and chlorine.
'There's been a couple times where I've opened the front door and it's taken my breath away it's that smelly. It's a health and safety issue.'
Regularly inspected
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said permitted sites in the Leamington Spa area were regularly inspected, with operators required to make improvements where required.
The spokesman added: 'Since April 1st we have inspected the Berry Circular Polymers site four times and identified a category three (minor) breach of the permit as they were not following their prescribed management techniques.
'We encourage residents to continue to report environmental issues via our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060 to help with our investigations.'
A spokesman for Berry Circular Polymers said previously: 'We take these concerns extremely seriously, and although both ourselves and our regulators cannot find a substantial causal link, we are committed to ensuring we do not negatively impact Warwickshire residents.'
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