Avonmouth residents' anger at collapsed case
RESIDENTS in Avonmouth say they are angry that no one will be held to account for the clouds of wood dust which blighted their lives and homes.
The Environment Agency prosecuted Edward Jones, co-director of wood processing firm EGNI Ltd, over the dust clouds blamed by residents for an increase in coughs and colds.
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Avonmouth residents Elizabeth Neale, with dog Jasper, Stephen and Sandra Ware and Terri Bowers, with Caitlin, 14 months, who are disappointed no one now faces action over the dust clouds that blighted their lives
But a judge at Bristol Magistrates' Court this week dismissed the charges of breaching an environmental permit, saying they were based on flawed evidence.
Residents whose lives have been affected by dust from the docks, where a number of wood processing companies operate, say they are disappointed that no one is now facing punishment from the courts.
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They say pollution in the area continues to blight their lives.
The court had heard that on September 2 last year, homes in Regent Street and King Street had been blanketed by "thick and furry" dust which was "snowing" from the sky.
It was not an isolated incident but no conclusive evidence could be produced to prove which company, EGNI-run AW Jenkinson or nearby Boomeco, was responsible for the dust emissions.
In February of this year, the Post reported on another incident of dust covering homes, gardens and cars in Poole Street.
Yesterday Sandra Ware, 62, of Poole Street, said she was very disappointed with the court decision. She said: "It turned out to be a waste of time and money."
Husband Steve, 63, said that the dust had "consumed their lives".
He said: "The garden gets coated in dust and when we open the windows it gets into the house, not to mention our cars, which are impossible to keep clean. We have also suffered from an increasing amount of coughs and colds, like a lot of people in Avonmouth."
Bristol North West MP Charlotte Leslie, who has long been campaigning on behalf of the residents, said: "I accept that evidence on who is to blame has been unclear but this is all deeply frustrating for residents, who have had to live with this unacceptable level of wood dust from operations. People understandably want answers."
In court district Judge David Parsons said: "I suspect it must be obvious to those who live close to the area where the exemptions are granted that it is unsuited to wood processing."
Yesterday the Environment Agency denied that the site was unsuitable.
Spokesman Paul Gainey said: "We have to bear in mind that this is an industrial site and part of the port.
"If we feel it is appropriate to, we try to prosecute."
At the trial this week, the court heard Mr Jones, of EGNI, who is now a manager for Stobart Biomass Products, is the director of four companies and has previously been the director of 11 more, which have gone into liquidation or have been dissolved.
Comments
by bowbrick
Sunday, September 16 2012, 11:34PM
“That toddler is a baby, not yet 18mths old! And no, 4 adults a baby and a dog does not represent angered residents, unfortuntately it shows that some people like to complain but when it comes to doing something about it, they'd rather sit back and let Jo Bloggs up the road do something about it. A bit like the the story about four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it.
Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did.
Somebody got angry because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody knew that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realised that Somebody wouldn't do it.
And Everybody blamed Somebody because Nobody did what Anybody could have done.”
by redvee2002
Saturday, September 15 2012, 8:27PM
“by taxpayerbrisSaturday,
"think they meant Richmond Terrace...
Chatting to my Dad who was one effected by this pollution and was expected in court as a witness, Richmond Terrace was the conclusion we came to also.”
by katachua
Saturday, September 15 2012, 5:49PM
“What a pity it wasn't Clifton or Sneyd Park. The judge would have thrown the book at the polluters then...”
by Tody123
Saturday, September 15 2012, 11:50AM
“thats not a baby, its a toddler.”
by Bristolexpat
Saturday, September 15 2012, 10:26AM
“So for Avonmouth "Residents" anger, substitute "4 adults, a baby and a dog"......”
by taxpayerbris
Saturday, September 15 2012, 10:06AM
“think they meant Richmond Terrace...
Shame the post has not drawn on the reasons that the judge threw out the charges from the EA... EA had multiple reports from residents on 2nd Sept that indicated both Boomeco and Jenkinsons were processing wood and raining dust on the streets and houses. The EA attended late, as did BCC, didn't ascertain where the dust was from, didn't investigate Boomeco properly. Once they had charged Ed Jones (improperly informing him under PACE guidelines), they did not enter into evidence residents statements that detailed Boomeco's involvement and criticised the EA.. Ed Jones barrister simply highlighted to the judge that the EA case was not proven as Boomeco were also clearly invloved. The EA also put the manager of Boomeco forward as their star witness when he was clearly trying to deflect his own companies culpability. Top comment from the EA spokesman, King Street is not an industrial area, neither is Avonmouth village, EA licensed sites that blew pollution outside the border of the licensed site, they do not have the legal authority to do that and have therefore allowed us to be polluted, That's against the law.. Their numbers up and they know it. Strange how BCC also didn't investigate Boomeco.. I dislike Ed Jones because he's a ****** who thinks he can get away with it, however the EA and BCC should have gone for both companies..”
by redvee2002
Saturday, September 15 2012, 9:31AM
“Can somebody in the Evening Post geography department point out Regent Street in Avonmouth for me. I lived in Avonmouth for 20 years and never knew a Regent Street and Googlemaps can't help either.”