A 'NOXIOUS' odour from a wastewater treatment works site in Sankey Bridges has left some residents feeling 'physically sick'.

The Environment Agency and Warrington Borough Council (WBC) have carried out a joint visit to the facility, on Barnard Street, to discuss the situation with operator United Utilities.

The water company has issued an apology to residents and insists it is 'working hard' to address the stench.

Resident Paul Robinson, who lives close to the site, is calling for immediate action.

He said: "We have lived at our property for 12 months and this noxious sewage odour has existed before that.

"In the time we have lived here, the smell has got stronger and stronger.

"The frequency of the smell has also increased, some days we are smelling this odour on three separate occasions throughout the day and it can linger for hours.

"There are times when we have been unable to have our windows open, or even sit in the garden, due to the smell.

"I have lodged numerous complaints with the Environment Agency, as have other residents, and they have confirmed that they will initiate a joint inquiry with WBC.

"United Utilities need to consider the health and wellbeing of residents by effectively managing the site's odours and emissions, which are making some residents feel physically sick.

"I call upon the company's shareholders and senior management to implement effective environmental and engineering control measures, which prevent these environmental incidents from occurring.

"We all have a legal right to enjoy our property."

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Along with complaints to the Environment Agency, the council has received four official complaints since May.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: "The Environment Agency is aware of, and has been investigating, odour reports from the public.

"On June 21, the Environment Agency and WBC jointly visited the site to discuss the situation with the operators United Utilities.

"We are aware that some works are being carried out on site which may give rise to odour and we will continue to monitor this site."

But United Utilities has confirmed the issue could soon be resolved.

A spokeswoman said: "We are sorry for the intermittent odours people living near our site have experienced and are working hard to address them.

"The good news is that we are nearing the end of a programme of installing new and updated equipment inside our storm tanks, which we are confident will make a difference.

"The last step in this work is to clean the storm tanks of any remaining material.

"Because the final cleaning operation is likely to cause some temporary odour while it is being carried out, we are listening to residents, the Environment Agency and WBC, so we can take all steps possible to minimise the impact on the community."