Workers at the Dunmow Group waste transfer site in Morses Lane – which has been subject to an Environment Agency (EA) investigation into the source of the gassy smell that has been aggravating many Brightlingsea residents – have been subjected to threats and intimidation, it has been claimed.

The claim was made by a member of Dunmow’s management at a meeting organised by Brightlingsea mayor Mick Barry on Monday, August 22. Representatives from the EA and Cadent – the company carrying out the gas pipe renewal works in the town – were also present, along with deputy mayor Ben Smith and county councillor Alan Goggin.

In a statement released after the meeting in the parish hall, Brightlingsea Town Council (BTC) said that “threats and itimidatory behaviour” towards Dunmow employees are “clearly unacceptable and will not help to resolve the problem”.

The two-hour meeting failed to provide any official answers as to the cause of the nauseous smell, which has been the subject of dozens of complaints to the EA and reports – unfounded – of gas leaks to Cadent.

BTC said it had “received assurances that all legislative and regulatory requirements had been complied with” following two visits to the area by the EA. The EA did, however, commit to making a further visit to carry out further tests between midnight and 6am, the time frame when many residents have reported the smell to be at its worst.

The Dunmow Group – which has admitted to one incident that caused a “faint odour” but has denied being the source of other instances – was reported in the statement to be “issuing a statement regarding their position very soon”.