A PETITION has been launched to tackle the ‘torment’ of ‘deafening noise’ from a chemical factory in Lostock Gralam.

Residents are growing increasingly upset over recent late-night steam venting at Tata Chemicals Europe’s (TCE) Lostock soda ash plant on Works Lane. 

One neighbour, Ann Stanway, said she's been kept up as late as 3am, while another claims the noise levels regularly exceed those set out in environmental regulations.

John Leigh, from Northwich, said: "This company is a nightmare.

“There are constant issues for the locals with excessive noise levels reaching more than 87 decibels at 1.30am.

“The permitted level of noise is below 50 decibels, and no later than 11pm.

“They need to be held accountable."

Rudheath resident, Bev Lamb, said: “We’ve had limited sleep for nearly two weeks due to the deafening noise coming from Tata."

TCE says the noise is due to a routine yearly plant shutdown, adding for financial reasons, it’s in the company's best interests to keep steam venting to a minimum.

However, the explanation doesn’t tally with residents’ experiences, sparking one, Chris Smith, to start a petition on Change.org.

Chris said: “This has now become a daily struggle, filled with the constant, disturbing noise from steam venting at TCE in Lostock.

“This is not just an inconvenience; it's a torment which is gradually taking a toll on my mental health and the surrounding population.

“I invite fellow Northwich residents and everyone who values peace and a disruption-free environment to rally behind this call.”

Since being launched on Saturday, September 7, Chris' petition has attracted 248 signatures. 

Cheshire West and Northwich town councillor, Sam Naylor, has requested a meeting with TCE to discuss what can be done to improve the situation.

Cllr Naylor said: “I think the steam venting has been going on more than it should.

“The steam goes to the Lostock plant from TCE's power station in Winnington for the use in the preparation of soda ash.

“The power station has to run continually and can’t be shut down.

“But every year, the Lostock plant has a week’s shutdown for maintenance, and they inform the community when this is going to happen.

“There seems to have been a breakdown in communication, and I've requested a meeting with TCE so we can make sure bosses know the anger which exists in the community.”

A TCE spokesman previously said the venting would end by Thursday, September 5.

The company added: “As part of routine maintenance, we carry out an annual shutdown at our Lostock plant.

“This means we need to vent surplus steam at Lostock, which can create additional noise. We take various steps to keep this to a minimum, but some noise is unfortunately inevitable at these times.

“From a business point of view, having to vent steam is very costly as well as causing unwanted noise for our neighbours, and we work hard to keep these unavoidable shutdowns to a minimum.  

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”