Corby mothers win landmark case over toxic waste

Netflix's new series "Toxic Town" is inspired by a true story from the town of Corby in Northamptonshire, England. The show is centered around a group of mothers, portrayed by Jodie Whittaker and others, who confront the local council after discovering that toxic waste from a former steelworks factory caused disabilities in their children. The real events began in the late 1990s when Susan McIntyre realized many other mothers were having children with limb differences. This led her and fellow mothers, including Tracey Taylor and Maggie Mahon, to seek legal advice about the potential link to toxic waste mismanagement after the Corby Steelworks was demolished. After the plant closed in 1980, the local council mishandled the disposal of toxic waste. Many community members reported breathing in harmful fumes and dust. One mother, Joy Shatford, described the air as sour and gassy during her pregnancy, and she later gave birth to a son with a hand defect. In a landmark case, the High Court ruled that the Corby Borough Council was negligent in its handling of toxic waste. Sixteen out of eighteen affected young people were awarded damages, amounting to approximately £6.6 million. This case highlighted the struggles of the families involved and their fight for justice. "Toxic Town" currently has a favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been praised for its intense yet engaging storytelling. The series is now available for streaming on Netflix.