The mysterious stink in Carrbrook village

A village on the edge of Stalybridge has been in a tizz for almost a year over a mysterious stink.

Carrbrook village, between Stalybridge and Mossley, is quaint residential area with leafy trees and lovely walking routes, but a gas-like smell has been hot on the nostrils of residents recently. The stink has been wafting in and out of locals’ lives since November 2024, according to residents living around Carr Rise and Carr Lane.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service visited the area to try and sniff out the problem recently, but found only a faint whiff.

Walking past the bowling green across from Staly Brook, nose aloft, there were traces of the gassy smell, but nothing like the pungent odour described by locals on Facebook groups. It’s a sunny autumn day in the peaceful village, so a plethora of dog walkers stopped to share their views on the Stalybridge Stink.

“A few people have been saying it’s making them a bit ill,” Sue McDowell explained. “I think it’s to do with gas works.

Sue McDowell taking Daisy the Westie for a walk around Carrbrook. Credit: LDRS

“I can’t say I’ve smelt it recently, it seems to have gone now. It had a very pungent smell, like a gassy smell.

“It got up your nose and was quite strong. It was most strong near the bridge and by the bowling green.

“I’m out dog walking a lot so I did notice it and it did last a while. This is the talk of the village.”

As the 73-year-old carried on her walk with Daisy the Westie, she pointed up the hill on Carr Rise – where the stink had been most noticeable.

Passing by were ‘the two Lizzes’ as they jokingly referred to themselves as. Liz Sweet and Liz McLusky were untangling their dogs from a noisy greeting when they explained how the gas smell has been coming and going for about a year, but it’s been most prevalent in the last three or four weeks.

Liz McLusker's dog Cooper poses for the camera. Credit: LDRS

Liz Sweet, pointing up to where Carr Rise meets Castle Lane, said: “You get it in different places. Last night we noticed it at the top of the crossroads. It depends on the way the wind is blowing. There have been rumours about the waterways changing. It could be the bridge changes that have been going on.”

Liz McLusker, with her pooch Cooper, added: “It’s strong. You get hit as you go past the bowling green. Hopefully they can sort it out soon.”

The problem is that the issue seems to have an unknown cause, despite speculation it’s to do with the gas works that have been going on recently. Rumours around the village about the cause of the smell remain just unconfirmed gossip, with no answer yet delivered.

Cadent, who are responsible for the maintenance of the gas lines in the area, say they’ve been out to Carrbrook 22 times in the last year to check on this issue. But no evidence of natural gas has been found, according to a Cadent spokesperson.

The gas company has stressed that any resident who smells gas should report it to them immediately so it can be investigated.

Cliff Thompson has lived on Carr Rise for years, he doesn’t think the gas smell is too bad. He feels the smell came when Cadent were carrying out pipe replacement work over the last few months.

Cliff Thompson, 87, isn't as concerned about the gas smell as some of his neighbours. Credit: LDRS

Due to the nature of the work, the 87-year-old said it seemed normal for a gas smell to crop up when they’re fixing the gas pipeline.

“Last year they dug all the ground and they got the piping and sorted it out,” Cliff said. “I’m not really worried because Cadent has been here sorting things the last few weeks.

“I’ve never smelled anything too pungent. People around the corner have been complaining about it, but it’s not been too problematic.

“Not affected us at all here on Carr Rise. You could smell it though, it wasn’t that strong.”

Just down Castle Lane Peter Bancroft is cradling 12 week old Border Collie pup Luna. He said the smell has been reported locally for months, but people on Thorn Bank had it worst.

“It’s been a couple of weeks, but some people up the road have struggled with it more,” the 52-year-old explained. “The Thorn Bank people have been reporting it for months. They’ve been getting fed up.

“My sinuses aren’t great so I don’t pick it up well. Just on this corner it’s been quite bad recently.

“It’s amazing they still can’t find it.”

This isn’t the first time the village of Carrbrook has been hit by a mysterious phenomenon, after being hit by the Tameside Tornado in December 2023. The village – alongside other residential areas in Stalybridge, Millbrook and Dukinfield – saw huge damage caused by Storm Gerrit.

Although the gassy smell has not been as destructive, it’s been the biggest talking point since the tornado.

Trevor Lubbock, customer operations area manager for Cadent, said: “We have attended the area 22 times in the last 12 months, to investigate reports of a smell that people were concerned was natural gas. Our engineers use equipment which would detect even the smallest traces of natural gas and, each time, we have found no gas readings.

“I appreciate residents want to know what this smell is – but our expertise is limited only to natural gas, the type of gas we use to heat our homes. We are only able to check for that. “Other agencies, such as the Environment Agency and local environmental health teams, are better placed to look into other potential sources of the smell.

“We take our role as the gas emergency service very seriously and must stress that if anyone, anywhere, ever thinks they smell gas, act immediately and call 0800 111 999*. This is the National Gas Emergency Service number. Do not assume the smell is related to this, as it may not be and should be checked out.”

United Utilities confirmed they have had no reports regarding odour issues in this area or complaints from customers. The Environment Agency did not respond to a request for comment.