A grandmother previously said the smell was so strong that she couldn’t put washing out to dry
Water Orton and Coleshill residents will participate in an air quality assessment linked to HS2(Image: BirminghamLive)
Residents affected by HS2 can breathe a sigh of relief after an air quality assessment was approved.
When BirminghamLive visited in December, Water Orton residents complained of dust and a fish-like odour surrounding the village.
Grandmother Gill Smith said the ‘fishy smell’ was so strong that she couldn’t even put washing out to dry.
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Elsewhere, Helen Carlill said she had to clean her car weekly because of dust from construction works.
After hearing concern of residents in Water Orton and Coleshill, MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, Rachel Taylor has secured an independent air quality assessment.
A view of HS2 works in the village of Water Orton(Image: BirminghamLive)
Having pushed for action from HS2, Ms Taylor has now confirmed that an independent air quality assessment will be undertaken.
The Labour MP had been pushing for months for an independent review into air quality around the works to be carried out.
Rachel Taylor MP said: “Since being elected, I have been relentless in pressing for a fairer deal for residents in Coleshill and Water Orton, who continue to endure significant disruption and inconvenience as a result of HS2 construction.
“Concerns about air quality have been raised with me time and again, and it is only right that they are taken seriously.
“After securing a meeting between HS2’s Chief Executive and Water Orton residents, I am pleased that we now have a clear commitment to an independent review.
“This is an important step in ensuring our community can have full confidence in how air quality is being monitored and managed, and that any necessary action is backed by robust, impartial evidence.”
The review will be carried out by the Centre for Low Emission Construction at Imperial College London.
As an independent body, Imperial College will provide a professional and impartial assessment of air quality issues linked to the construction works.
Following the assessment, Imperial College will produce a summary report setting out any findings and recommendations.
This report will be shared with relevant stakeholders and the community to ensure transparency and accountability.
Residents will be kept updated on the progress of the review and informed when outcomes and recommendations are expected in due course.
When BirminghamLive raised concerns about the ‘fishy smell’ in Water Orton, a spokesperson revealed the smell was linked to HS2 works.
A HS2 spokesperson previously said: “We have thoroughly investigated reports of an odour in Water Orton which is linked to the use of lime to stabilise material excavated from the Bromford tunnels and is not hazardous.
“Lime stabilisation is a common technique in the construction industry and allows us to reuse the material elsewhere on the project, reducing cost and avoiding extra lorries on local roads.
“Excavation of the Bromford tunnels was completed last month and we’re now taking steps that will help to reduce or eliminate the smell from the material stockpiles.”