Will town see return of flies?

Residents are concerned their bins could be a breeding ground for flies

Homes and business in Grangemouth were infested by flies three years ago as industrial sites in the area were investigated to try and identify the source.

However, recent reports of flies in the town have led environmental officers to monitor the situation and they claim there are no flies at the usual sites.

This has led to concerns the problem has spread to the community, with each wheely bin or food bin a potential breeding ground for the kind of flies the town experienced in 2013.

One householder warned: “We have the food bins now and our other bins are uplifted monthly so it’s going to be hoaching with flies if we get hot weather.”

Councillor Robert Spears has been dealing with complaints from a number of householders in recent weeks and responded to fears the fly problem had spread.

He said: “Due to the mild winter it looks as though we could be in for a summer of serious fly concerns. If it is indeed in the wider community people need to have constant vigilance to eradicate this problem.”

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) confirmed the sites they had visited had no sign of flies.

A spokesman said: “SEPA has received an increased number of fly complaints for the Grangemouth area in recent weeks. However, officers have not been able to attribute these complaints to SEPA-regulated sites.

“SEPA is liaising closely with Falkirk Council Environmental Health who have been, and are, actively monitoring the situation. We will continue to inspect all of the sites authorised by SEPA throughout the year and will take action should any show indications of potential fly problems.

“Any significant concerns regarding SEPA authorised sites can be reported directly via the Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”

Three years ago SEPA monitored a licensed waste storage site in Grangemouth Docks operated by Dow Waste Management which was believed to be the source of the town’s fly infestation. A recycling site operated by Oran in Abbotsinch Industrial Estate was also investigated.

The problem was so bad at that time Asda, located near the docks, was forced to temporarily close its cafe.