The operator of a landfill site which has faced a barrage of complaints over the odours coming from it has put a capping material "over the exposed areas of waste" to help reduce the smell.

Residents in Bury and Rochdale living near Pilsworth South Quarry have voiced their frustrations over the site in recent months.

The Environment Agency has been investigating the problem at the site, which is managed by Valencia Management Team, and last week Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham visited and was "taken aback" after what he experienced.

He has set a meeting with Environment Agency for Wednesday, March 13. 

In an update today, Tuesday, Valencia says its "improved gas collection system" has captured more landfill gas and reduced odour from the site so far.

But the operator is "not happy with the speed the odour is being eliminated" so a temporary capping material has been put over "all of the exposed areas of waste".

The firm hopes the combined action it is taking will speed up the reduction of the smells. 

A Valencia spokesperson said: "The deployment of the improved gas collection system has been successful in capturing more landfill gas and reducing odour from the site so far, but Valencia is not happy with the speed that the odour is being eliminated.

"As a result, we have taken the decision to put a temporary capping material over all of the exposed areas of waste on the site.

"This will be in addition to the enhanced gas collection infrastructure.

"The combination of these engineering solutions will speed up the reduction of any odour emissions from site.

"We have mobilised quickly and this capping operation started this morning (March 5) and will take approximately two weeks to complete.

"These works are heavily weather dependent and labour intensive, so any periods of rain or wind will likely impact this timeline.

"The site will remain closed to waste inputs until this work is completed, however restoration material will continue to be taken into the site as this is used to cover and stabilise the capping material."

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The spokesperson added: "Again, Valencia apologises for any inconvenience caused during these works, we are taking this extremely seriously and are working hard to resolve the issues.

"If you have any questions, please raise the me contact us on the dedicated email address or phone line- email: Pilsworthsouthlandfill@consultationonline.co.uk, phone: 0800 066 8941.

"Our telephone line is not monitored 24/7. If your call is unanswered, please leave a message so that we can ensure your feedback is recorded."