FLY HORROR: Chesterfield residents '˜driven mad' by pests

Residents say they are being '˜driven mad' by fly problems apparently linked to a landfill site.
Duckmanton residents say the fly problem is a 'major issue'.Duckmanton residents say the fly problem is a 'major issue'.
Duckmanton residents say the fly problem is a 'major issue'.

A large number of people in the Duckmanton area of Chesterfield have raised concerns about the ‘intolerable’ issue.

Site owner Viridor Waste Management on Markham Lane, Duckmanton, insists it has reviewed its operations following the complaints.

The Environment Agency is also monitoring the situation.

Duckmanton residents say the fly problem is a 'major issue'.Duckmanton residents say the fly problem is a 'major issue'.
Duckmanton residents say the fly problem is a 'major issue'.
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Duckmanton resident Tiffany Jarvis claimed the problem had been going on for years.

“Enough is now enough,” said the 42-year-old mum whose home on North Grove is just 500 yards from the landfill site.

“My house is invaded by flies on a daily basis – we’re spending a fortune on flypaper and spray.

“The other day I put on some shoes and they were full of dead flies.

Tiffany Jarvis is sick and tired of the problem.Tiffany Jarvis is sick and tired of the problem.
Tiffany Jarvis is sick and tired of the problem.
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“We often have to eat out because flies keep landing on our food.

“My husband wants us to move house – but why should we?

“It’s driving many, many people mad and we’re desperate to get this issue sorted,” she added.

Tiffany and her neighbour Leanne Flynn have set up a petition which has been signed by several hundred residents calling for action to tackle the problem.

Toby Perkins, Tiffany Jarvis  and neighbour Leanne Flynn with covered flypaper and their petition.Toby Perkins, Tiffany Jarvis  and neighbour Leanne Flynn with covered flypaper and their petition.
Toby Perkins, Tiffany Jarvis and neighbour Leanne Flynn with covered flypaper and their petition.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has met with those affected and Viridor Waste Management to discuss the issue.

He said: “Residents face an intolerable situation.

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“They already tolerate having the landfill site and urgent action must be taken when serious issues like this are raised.”

In a statement, a spokeman for Viridor Waste Management said: “As a responsible operator, Viridor takes its commitment to environmental compliance very seriously indeed.

Tiffany Jarvis behind a fly screen at her front door.Tiffany Jarvis behind a fly screen at her front door.
Tiffany Jarvis behind a fly screen at her front door.

“In response to a small number of complaints, Viridor moved quickly to review site operations, to meet with the Environment Agency and local residents.

“While with the Environment Agency we were unable to substantiate complaints, Viridor has listened and responded by enhancing precautionary environmental controls.

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“Further to a constructive meeting and full site visit by Mr Perkins, we have again spoken with local residents and walked the site boundary and surrounding residential areas.

“We have agreed with Mr Perkins to re-convene a community liaison group with residents, elected members, the Environment Agency and the local authority to allow an open dialogue on the site, its operations and to address any community concerns.”

An Environment Agency spokesman added: “We are aware of an issue involving flies from the site and have met with the operator Viridor and agreed the improvements needed to deal with the problem.

“The operator has adopted a number of measures, including placing additional inert soils over the previously deposited cover. The regular spraying of insecticide has been increased in order to minimise the numbers of flies.

The view of the landfill site from Tiffany Jarvis' upstairs window.The view of the landfill site from Tiffany Jarvis' upstairs window.
The view of the landfill site from Tiffany Jarvis' upstairs window.
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“We are in regular contact with the operator and will continue to monitor the situation.

“Anyone who sees any pollution is urged to report the matter to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060 so we can investigate.”