Averies recycling yard, Marshgate 07.08.2014, Stratton, Swindon

Image: © Brian Robert Marshall Taken: 7 Aug 2014

On 21 July 2014 the recycling of waste depot caught fire, or at least the vast store of rubbish did. It's still burning more than two weeks on. There are numerous agencies involved in trying to deal with the implications and aftermath: the local council are concerned about the effects of the continuous emissions of smoke, the Environment Agency, who licensed the operation, are worried about pollution of the nearby River Cole, a small but important tributary of the Thames (not to mention their reputation) and the fire brigade, who have to try to extinguish the fire. There's a lot about it on the internet http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-28685954 is a good place to start plus the local newspaper http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/11396268.Residents_protest_against_Averies_waste_transfer/?ref=var_0 Update: 15 September 2014 and the fire is out at last http://www.itv.com/news/west/story/2014-09-19/public-inquiry-into-swindon-fire-that-lasted-2-months/

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