The Arnolds Field rubbish dump in Launders Lane in Rainham, London has been the location of a large number of fires since around 2013,[1] exposing local residents to toxic fumes.[2]

The site was a gravel pit in the 1960s, and subsequently used for landfill from 1967 to 1971.[3] Planning permission was granted in 2000 to convert the area to community woodland. Since that time, a large amount of waste has been deposited without authorisation.[3] The London Fire Brigade have said that the site periodically reignites due to the build-up of rubbish on the site,[4] which had been dumped "in excess of five metres" above council-approved levels.[5] Between 2018 and 2022 the Fire Brigade had been called out to the site more than 70 times.[5]

Efforts have been by Havering Council to deal with the problem, with the assistance of the London Fire Brigade and Environment Agency.[6] Attempts to remedy the problem have been complicated by multiple issues, including decades of illegal dumping of unknown materials and previous use of the site as a cannabis farm and weapons store.[5]

A 2012 site study found elevated levels of lead and benzo(a)pyrene in the soil.[3] In 2023, Imperial College's Environmental Research Group was collecting data regarding the pollution caused by the fires.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ Holder, Sam (19 January 2023). "Illegal rubbish dump fire exposing east London residents to toxic fumes". ITV News. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  2. ↑ Lynch, Ben (30 January 2023). "Launders Lane fires: Council leader's enforcement vow if health risk is 'serious'". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  3. 1 2 3 "Launders Lane Technical Response: Proposal" (PDF). Havering Borough Council. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  4. ↑ Davis, Barney (17 February 2023). "East London residents fear dangerous toxins spewing from 'decade-long' landfill fires". Evening Standard. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "Havering council takes legal advice over Arnolds Field fire hotspot". BBC News. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  6. ↑ Taylor, William (25 January 2023). "Launders Lane: Updated statement from the Leader". www.havering.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  7. ↑ "Launders Lane Fires | London City Hall". www.london.gov.uk. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  8. ↑ "Air quality monitors installed to track pollution levels on Launders Lane after recent research reveals worrying findings". The Havering Daily. 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2023-02-04.

51°30′47″N 0°13′12″E / 51.513°N 0.220°E / 51.513; 0.220

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