IS there something rotten in the city of Newport?

That’s what scores of residents have been asking after their nostrils were assailed by an especially pungent pong during the past few days.

What began with a couple of inquiries to the Argus yesterday morning developed into a crescendo of complaints after we took to our website and social media to ask if you had “have you detected smelt a nasty niff in Maesglas, Gaer and Rogerstone.?”

Responses were soon coming in thick and fast – and it became apparent that the stink had been noticed in a much wider area.

People in areas such as St Julians, Caerleon, Allt-yr-yn, Brynglas, Somerton, Malpas, and even shoppers in Friars Walk, reported what one described as a “vile and disgusting” smell. 

Here is a selection of some of the comments we received:

* “Went to Newport, Friars Walk, yesterday and the smell of rotten eggs was outrageous.”

* “I live on Ridgeway and I have been smelling something very odd for weeks. I have not noticed any particular time of day or weather condition that makes it worse but the smell sometimes is very strong, so much so I have to go inside because it just smells toxic and (I’m) worried it might be harmful.”

* “It’s disgusting! We live in Caerleon and it is often wafting up to us too!

I’m five months pregnant and avoid Newport because the smell makes me sick.”

* “I have noticed the smell for some months now. It is bad enough to permeate inside my house at times, on Celtic Horizon.

* “I’ve noticed it quite regularly (in Duffryn), it smells like rotten eggs, and never at a certain time of day. Sometimes it’ll be like it first thing in the morning, and other times it’s fine in the morning but later on in the day it smells awful.”

* “I live in the Gaer and my mum lives in Rogerstone…the smell is quite strong in both areas…It’s truly disgusting and smells like drains and sewage.”

* “I have smelt this nasty smell for sometime in Malpas. It’s awful.”

Many people have indicated that they have queried Newport city council on the matter too, and a council spokesman has told the Argus: “Engineering work is currently being carried out at the landfill site which may result in additional odours in the local area.

“All steps to minimise any unpleasant odours are being taken while this essential work is completed.”

A Natural Resources Wales spokesman said that if anyone has concerns, they should call the agency’s incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.