Has A Solution to The Launders Lane Fires Been Found? Margaret Mullane MP Backs Decision To Help Create Respite For Rainham Residents.

The Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham, Margaret Mullane, MP, has strongly backed the decision to press ahead with a system to significantly reduce the risk of underground fires at Arnolds Field Launders Lane.

Havering Council at its Cabinet meeting decided to implement the innovative ‘hydro mulching’ or cement polymer covering on the areas of the site where the fires are known to occur. Subject to the cooperation of the landowner, it is understood that the work should be completed by April.

Margaret met separately with a Government Minister and a senior director of the Environment Agency in the run up to Christmas to discuss the benefits of this approach which should give temporary relief from the fires.

Margaret told the Havering Daily: “This is a very welcome measure. I know of course that this isn’t the full permanent answer, but according to the manufacturer of the cement polymer layer covering it should give relief for between 3 and 5 years.

This is an essential and literally a breathing space for long suffering residents of Rainham. But I do want to make clear that this does not absolve the landowner. I know he was not responsible for the illegal dumping across Arnolds Field but he must come forward with urgency for his plans and make sure that these safely, comprehensively and permanently end the threat of fires.”

The MP has been urging that public authorities adopt an ‘invest to save’ approach to protect the health of local residents and reduce long term costs for themselves. Havering had already spent almost £1 million on administrative matters and the London Fire Brigade had made 65 calls in 2025 to attend to fires at Arnolds Field.

Margaret added: “The health of residents has to be the absolute priority, so this is a welcome step.

I have also heard that the report I had commissioned from the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology is due to imminently report to me on its study into historic landfills, including Launders Lane. I look forward to seeing its options for developing policies to tackle the environmental impacts and will be pursuing these in Parliament.”

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