Shabana Mahmood has written to the Environment Agency after local residents raised concerns about air quality in Nechells.

In a letter co-written with Councillor Lee Marsham, Councillor for Nechells ward, Shabana highlights the situation at the Smurfitt Kappa Plant on Mount Street.

The anxieties of residents have increased following a major fire incident at the plant in June.

Shabana and Lee are requesting an urgent review to ensure all procedures are being followed and for air quality to be consistently monitored.

You can read the letter in full below.

Letter to the Environment Agency

Dear Sir James,

Re: Smurfit Kappa SSK, Mount St, Nechells, Birmingham B7 5RE

We are writing to you on behalf our residents concerning the Smurfit Kappa SSK recycling plant, which operates on Mount Street in Nechells, Birmingham.

Over recent weeks and months, the number of comments and complaints we have received around the air quality and smell emitting from the site have noticeably increased. Residents are worried about the air that they are breathing in and the impact it may have on their health. These anxieties have only increased following the major fire incident at the plant in June, which the Environment Agency worked closely on with West Midlands Fire Service, to ensure that residents and workers were kept safe. This was the second major incident at the site in the past decade.

As the agency who regulates and inspects the site, we are requesting an urgent review to ensure that all procedures are being followed, for the air quality to consistently be monitored and for more frequent spot checks.

We would also be happy to facilitate a community meeting with residents and the agency to enable you to hear their concerns and we hope that you accept this offer.

Please can our request for a review and community engagement be treated as a priority and that we are kept informed.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Shabana Mahmood

Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood

Lee Marsham

Councillor for Nechells ward, Birmingham City Council