Over twenty years ago, the land at Arnold’s Field, Launders Lane was used as legal then an illegal landfill site.  Residents living near the former illegal landfill site have suffered the ongoing effects of continuous underground fires for around 6 years.

Levels of PM2.5 in the area frequently rise far above what is considered safe for human health, exposing families — including young children — to dangerous and prolonged air pollution.

The introduction of ULEZ in Rainham, including a camera positioned close to Launders Lane, has done nothing to address the toxic smoke residents are forced to inhale. This contradiction highlights a failure to protect the very people environmental policies claim to safeguard.

Havering Council has stated that a remediation notice is being prepared; however, full enforcement is expected to take 2–3 years, leaving residents exposed to unacceptable health risks during this extended delay.

Proper remediation of Arnold’s Field is estimated to cost over £20 million, a figure far beyond what the Council can deliver alone.

We, the residents of Rainham, call upon central government to provide urgent financial support to ensure the land is fully remediated and made safe without further delay.

The people of Rainham — especially its children — deserve clean air, safe homes, and the basic right to live healthy lives free from preventable environmental harm.