MP steps in over waste dumping which shut Doncaster bike track
A popular bike track was forced to close by the vile stench
A Doncaster MP has stepped into a waste dumping row which closed a city bike track because of a vile stench which left riders feeling ill, saying: “People deserve to know this is being sorted.”
Lee Pitcher, Labour MP for Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme, is demanding action over the landfill site near Finningley.
Nearby Doncaster Moto Parc, which is based on the A614 near Finningley and Austerfield, was forced to close because staff and bikers had been left feeling sick by foul odours coming from the site.
Mr Pitcher said: “Since the end of September residents have raised repeated concerns about an odour at the Tetron Finningley Landfill Site.
“My office was first alerted to this issue by Doncaster Moto Parc on September 24.
“Following this, I contacted the Environment Agency to request they schedule a site visit as soon as possible.
In a response, the MP was told: “The Environment Agency has been investigating reports of odour associated with activities at the site following concerns raised by residents, businesses, and users of nearby facilities.
“As part of this investigation, an Environment Agency officer visited Doncaster Moto Parc on 9 October and detected a sewage-like odour beyond the boundary of the neighbouring permitted facility.
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“The officer subsequently inspected the site and reviewed the operator's management arrangements and odour controls.
“During the inspection, approximately 1,000 tonnes of sewage sludge were observed being stored externally in an uncovered stockpile.
“The Environment Agency also reviewed the site's approved Odour Management Plan and Environmental Management System.
“This assessment identified concerns regarding whether site activities were being undertaken in accordance with the operating techniques and management arrangements described within the approved documents.
“As a result of these findings, the Environment Agency issued a Compliance Assessment Report (CAR) to the operator on 20 October 2026 requiring corrective actions to be completed by 10 November 2026. These actions include revisions to the Odour Management Plan, improvements to management systems and changes to the way sewage sludge is stored and handled on site.”
Added Mr Pitcher: “This week, I sent a further email concerning potential asbestos disposal at the site, along with the air quality and environmental ramifications this could bring.
“In addition to pushing the Environment Agency (EA), I have also spoken with Doncaster Council about their role. However, given the responsibility for the permit sits with the EA, there is limited action they can take.
“People deserve to know this is being sorted.
“I will be holding all those involved to account to make sure the commitments I've been given are achieved, and the corrective actions which are required have been carried out by the site.”
Earlier, a Doncaster Moto Parc spokesperson said: “Staff and customers have reported headaches, nausea, chest and throat discomfort and other symptoms. Staff have sought medical attention.
“Our business is losing thousands of pounds.
“We have repeatedly reported the situation to the Environment Agency, yet we still have no meaningful answers about what is causing this, what monitoring has taken place, or what is being done to stop it.