Work to banish a stench at a Fife rubbish dump has been completed despite high levels of staff absence.
Capping of a cell at Lower Melville Wood landfill site, near Ladybank, was finished ahead of a new deadline given by environment agency Sepa.
The tip has been the source of an offensive odour plaguing residents in the surrounding Howe of Fife communities for years.
Sepa ordered Fife Resource Solutions, which runs the dump for Fife Council, to undertake the work by March 9 but extended the time frame due to delays caused by storms in February.
Howe of Fife and Tay Coast councillor Andy Heer congratulated the operator for finishing two weeks ahead of schedule despite over 40% of staff being off.
Final sealing around the edges of the cap was done last Thursday, he said, and all 13 gas wells connected into the gas collection system and functioning.
He said: “This is an extraordinary achievement in the current conditions with over 40% of staff absent due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the team at FRS deserve congratulations.
“Let’s hope that this is an end to the horrendous smell.
“It is especially important now while people are confined to their houses and wishing to be able to get into their gardens for fresh air.”
