Work is to begin on an environmental improvement project at a landfill site in Fife.

Council-owned Fife Resource Solutions (FRS) will start work to reduce the levels of odour escaping from the Lower Melville Wood Landfill Site in Ladybank on 30 January.

Work to cap the site and improve air quality has been approved by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The first stage of the scheme will start at the end of this month, for one week, with the second two-week phase beginning on 20 February.

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Plans to cap the northern and eastern flanks of the current operational cell are being accelerated to prevent the escape of landfill gas from these areas. The western flank will be similarly addressed, and plans are being drawn up for consideration by SEPA.

Chris Ewing, Chief Operating Officer of FRS, said: "Capping works are normally carried out when we have finished infilling an area with waste.  However, we are accelerating this work to minimise odour escape.

"During the period of the works there is the potential for increased odour escape, and this might be noticed by local residents. But when the works are finished we expect that the possibility of odour escape will be significantly reduced.

"We are liaising closely with SEPA, who have approved the works. We recognise that we have a responsibility to control odour emissions and minimise any impact of the landfill site on local people. I'm very hopeful that, on completion of this work, there will be a significant reduction in unpleasant odours."

(LM/MH)