ALMOST A YEAR to the day that they last visited the town, BBC Radio Humberside returned to Hedon yesterday to report on the Saltend Stench and what has happened since.
In August 2011 last year the campaign against the foul odours from the Saltend Waste Water Treatment Works hit the news, when a simple text message from Jo Gardner in Paull to the BBC’s David Burns programme on the radio, resulted in massive publicity for the campaign. BBC Radio Humberside came to Hedon Market Place and BBC Look North TV visited Paull.
The campaign being waged against the appalling smells emanating from Yorkshire Water’s Saltend Waste Water Treatment Works had been ongoing for over ten years. But, prompted by the worst smells from the site ever in summer 2011, a wave of anger erupted which saw residents threatening to march on Saltend unless something was done!
BBC Radio Humberside’s David Burns programme was back in Hedon yesterday charting progress. And it was far better news than at last year’s visit, although there were still some reports of smells affecting Preston.
On the positive front, local man Bradley Robinson spoke about the Yorkshire Water Hull Waste Water Treatment Works Community Fund and how his Hull and East Yorkshire Triathlon Club was applying, and his hopes that local people could benefit from new sporting facilities.
The Fund has been set up by Yorkshire Water to effectively say “Sorry” for the problem odours, but does provide an opportunity for local groups to get funding to carry out long-lasting, beneficial projects.
Find out more about the Community Fund at our Unofficial Guide:
Visit: Yorkshire Water Community Fund – the Unofficial Guide