Home / Environment / Westbury Whiff Plant Shuts Due to Crane Failure
Westbury Whiff Plant Shuts Due to Crane Failure
8 Jul
Summary
- A waste plant linked to a town's notorious smell has closed.
- Mechanical failure in internal cranes caused the unexpected shutdown.
- Repairs are expected to take two weeks, diverting waste elsewhere.
A waste processing facility in Westbury, Wiltshire, has temporarily closed due to mechanical failure. The Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plant, operated by Hills Waste Solutions, experienced a breakdown in one of its two internal cranes. This unexpected closure is estimated to last for two weeks.
During the repair period, waste normally processed at the Westbury facility will be diverted to the Lower Compton landfill site, located near Calne. This diversion is causing concern for residents in both Calne and Westbury, areas already familiar with odour issues.
The MBT plant handles Wiltshire's residual black bin waste, drying and treating it to recover materials for recycling and create solid recovered fuel. The facility has been identified by the Environment Agency as the source of the "Westbury Whiff," a smell that local residents find distressing.
Wiltshire Council has called the closure "unfortunate" and emphasized that the decision was made to ensure safe and efficient repairs. Hills Waste Solutions has stated that measures will be taken to minimize odours during the repair work. The Lower Compton site is also under investigation for odour pollution, locally known as the "Calne Pong."
