The failure of a critical component on an internal crane at the Northacre Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plant in Westbury has forced the operator to temporarily shut down the plant for essential repairs.
Operator Hills Waste Solutions expects repair works to take approximately two weeks, with the facility due to resume accepting waste from 20th July.
During the shutdown period, waste that would normally be processed through the MBT facility will instead be diverted to the Lower Compton landfill site, near Calne, where it will be transferred directly into landfill.
To minimise potential impacts, odour-control measures will remain in place throughout the maintenance period. Additional odour abatement fans will be positioned in the relevant areas, while the site’s biofilter extraction system will continue to operate as normal. Hills has also confirmed that extraction from the refinement area of the building will be isolated to maximise extraction within the biohall.
The Environment Agency has confirmed that their officers will continue to monitor odour levels in Westbury throughout the weekend and will respond to reports from residents across the area as they are received.
Cllr Paul Sample JP, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for waste, climate emergency and environment, said: “We appreciate that local residents, particularly those in Calne and Westbury, may have questions about the temporary shutdown of the MBT facility and the work taking place at Lower Compton.
“This is an unforeseen and really unfortunate equipment failure, even more frustrating given the other ongoing issues. The decision by Hills as the site operator to temporarily close the facility has been taken to allow essential repairs to be completed safely and as quickly as possible.
“Throughout this period, arrangements are in place to ensure Wiltshire’s household waste continues to be managed, while additional odour-control measures will be used during the repair works at the MBT.
“We will continue to work closely with Hills and the Environment Agency and will keep residents updated on progress as the repairs are completed and the facility returns to operation. We thank everyone for their understanding as this issue is resolved.”
