A scheme to stop a former landfill site causing pollution problems on the north Wales border has entered the final stages.

The project, to clean up the former aluminium dumping ground near Whitchurch, has cost �660,000, and is expected to finish in October.

The whole project has been a long term holding effort which we hope will benefit the people of the area

Martin Watkins

For years the site, formerly occupied by H H Wardle (Metals) Ltd, has affected the quality of water in the vicinity and residents have complained about dust and smells.

Contractors for Environment Agency Wales have been working on the site since June to clean up the land.

Martin Watkins, from the Environment Agency, said: "We haven't removed the materials from the site but we have made it as stable as possible.

"The whole project has been a long term holding effort which we hope will benefit the people of the area.

"We have had complaints going back several years from locals who have been inconvenienced by the site," he said.

The site, located between Fenn's Bank and Fenn's Wood, is just inside the Welsh border, two miles from Whitchurch.

Funding for the work had been shared between the Environment Agency and H H Wardle (Metals) Ltd.

The landfill site before work began

The situation came about as a result of 40 years of aluminium processing waste dumping.

"At the time, it was thought that the site could take the waste but, in recent years it became obvious it could not," said Mr Watkins.

"As a consequence the site has been re-shaped so that water doesn't collect at any point and run off into nearby lakes affecting the water quality.

"This water is now diverted elsewhere and taken from the site in a tank.

"In addition, the entrance into the landfill site has been covered with a hi-tech fabric which can breathe and can also be moved about," he said.

Dust eliminated

As a result of the work, dust problems have been eliminated and unpleasant odours have been significantly reduced.

The final stage of the scheme, which has now begun, is due to finish in October.

Martin Watkins said: "The majority of the work has now been completed.

"It is the culmination of an effort which began over five years ago when Wardle, the last company to use the site, were preparing to leave."