Council blames BMW for stink

From the archive, first published Thursday 11th Mar 2004.

Environmental health officers investigating reports of a foul stench in the Blackbird Leys area of Oxford believe they have finally traced the mystery pong to BMW.

A type of anaerobic bacteria found in the water cleaning system at the plant's paintshop is thought to be responsible for the powerful odour, which has been getting up the noses of workers and residents.

People living near the plant claim they cannot open their windows, and 50 BMW workers have signed a petition complaining about the stink, described as smelling like a mixture of paint fumes and rotten drains.

Environmental health officers from Oxford City Council decided BMW was the most likely source after speaking to colleagues in Southampton, who have dealt with a similar problem at a Ford car plant.

BMW still denies being responsible, but has agreed to test the theory next week by treating the paintshop cleaning system with chemicals to kill off the bacteria.

Bill and Joan Summersbee said they have never noticed the smell before during the 45 years they have lived in Balfour Road in Blackbird Leys. Mr Summersbee, 72, said: "The smell is awful - there's no word to describe it. It's strongest on the bypass to the roundabout by BMW.

"We keep the windows closed and we have blocked the air vents. We can't hang our washing out."

Mrs Summersbee, 71, added: "I'm coughing all the time and I've got a sore throat and chest. I'm really worried about the chemicals and toxins I'm breathing in."

BMW environmental inspectors investigated after workers complained the smell was giving them headaches and sore throats, but failed to find anything.

BMW communications director Werner Rothfuss said: "We have done everything we could to find the source of the smell and we still don't know the root cause.

"We can't rule out that the plant could be responsible, but we still regard it as very unlikely."

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