South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has urged the Scottish Government to set out a “clear plan” for the Torbolton Moss Landfill site.

Local residents have been waiting for action at the site monitored by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), to deal with pollution fears since the site was abandoned by operator when it went into liquidation in June 2018

The local MSP’s comments come after he recently questioned Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham about when remedial work will be carried out at the landfill site.

Speaking during portfolio questions in the Scottish Parliament last month, the local MSP initially asked the Scottish Government to provide an update on any progress being made in developing proposals for remedial action to clean up the Tarbolton Moss landfill site.

He continued: “Does the cabinet secretary accept that there is considerable frustration in the local community?

“It is two years on since the Government sought a report from SEPA on possible options for remedial work at the site, and there is still no clear plan in place to carry out that work. Have options been presented to the Government?

“Given the apparent continuing deterioration at the site, are those options still viable?

“Who does the Government ultimately believe will carry out work at the site? This environmental mess will just get worse until somebody carries out that work.”

Speaking after the question session, Colin Smyth added: “It is time for the Scottish Government to publish a clear plan about how work is going to be progressed at Tarbolton.

“There have been various difficulties at the site as the cabinet secretary acknowledged, but it’s been going on far too long and what the local community needs now is action.

“I have been working with campaigners on this issue for years and I will continue to press the Scottish Government so we can finally see these issues resolved.”