‘Smoke from the fire poses a significant health risk to my constituents’-Dagenham and Rainham MP angry at borough’s lack of plan to resolve Launder’s Lane fire.

The fire on Launder’s Lane in Rainham is an ongoing issue that most residents are fed up of hearing about. Smoke and fire engines are there practically on a daily basis, not only using our already stretched fire resources but also now posing a significant health risk to residents living in the nearby area as fumes from the fire impact the air quality.

Dagenham and Rainham MP Jon Cruddas has written to Havering’s Chief Executive Andrew Blake Herbert expressing his ‘disappointment and frustration that there still seems to be no plan in place to resolve this issue.’

Mr Cruddas has had regular meetings about this and is keen to get this matter urgently looked into as he now feels that ‘the smoke from the fires pose a significant health risk to my constituents across a large area of Rainham and south Hornchurch. The burning of underground landfill releases toxins and PM emissions which can cause respiratory issues, and a recent GLA report highlighted that Havering has one of the highest mortality rates attributed to emissions from waster incineration. The inability of Havering Council to address this issue is also placing unnecessary pressure on the London Fire Brigade who are often on site for days at a time.’

Mr Cruddas finished by saying: ‘As the member of Parliament, it is my duty to ensure constituents are represented on issues such as this, and Havering Council has a duty of care to protect the health of its residents. Considering this, I am requesting an urgent meeting at the Town Hall between senior officers, the land owner, the LFB station commander and myself at the earliest convenience.’