Tyre business banned over 'fire risks'

A tyre recycling business has been suspended from operating after fire and pollution risks were found.

The Environment Agency (EA) visited Twyford Recycling, in Chichester, West Sussex on Thursday and said it had removed its permit with immediate effect.

That means the firm cannot not bring any waste onto its site.

The EA found proper measures to prevent fires had not been taken and this posed a risk of water and air pollution.

Officers found waste tyres were being stored outside of proper bays, making it more difficult to tackle fire.

They also found inadequate fire water was accessible on site.

If there was a fire, the EA said, the wind could carry smoke towards the A27 and Chichester, putting the environment and people at risk.

There was also a risk, the agency found, that water from firefighting could pollute the River Lavant.

Officers also worried about the risk of pollution to groundwater from runoff.

The EA said the site has been told to remove all loose, shredded and baled tyres from the site by 18:00 BST on July 2.

The EA's Michael Turner, said: "When we find a waste site not playing by the rules, we step in and take swift action to shut it down."

Twyford Recycling Limited has two months to appeal the decision.