Work has begun to clear the illegal waste site at Bickershaw, Wigan, in a £4.8m operation that the government expects to complete by spring 2027.
The site, near Bolton House Road, holds around 18,000 tonnes of toxic waste that was dumped illegally during the early months of 2025. In September, Wigan Council said contractor Acumen Waste Services Ltd would carry out the cleanup.
Community disruption and fire
In July 2025, a week-long fire at the dump burned tonnes of waste, released dangerous fumes and forced nearby schools to close. The site lies within Andy Burnham's Makerfield constituency.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the operation would bring relief to a community that has endured major disruption from the site. Commercial and household waste will be dug up and removed, with specialist teams aiming to clear up to 25 lorry loads each day.
Investigation and arrests
DEFRA said the Bolton House Road site has caused misery for residents, prompting the government and Wigan Council to step in. The Environment Agency is also investigating those behind the dumping, with five arrests made so far.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: "No community should have to live with the misery that illegal waste sites like this in Wigan inflict on their everyday lives. This government is taking decisive action to put an end to waste crime, and this major clean-up is an important step in putting things right for local people. By putting more officers on the frontline and using drones, we will find the thugs responsible for this heinous crime and make sure they face the consequences."
Council and agency response
Leader of Wigan Council, Nazia Rehman, said: "This local community has had to put up with this illegal waste site for too long, and the unacceptable impact it has had on their lives. I want to thank everyone who has campaigned tirelessly to get us to this point and this is a really important milestone, with waste removal now underway. We will be working to keep our communities' voice at the heart of this process as the waste is removed, and this isn't the end. We want to continue engaging with local residents about how we can ensure a cleaner, safer future for the area once waste is completely removed from the site."
Caroline Berry, area environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: "We've made a number of arrests in connection with the ongoing investigation, and our focus remains on bringing those responsible for this atrocious crime to justice. Removing the waste is a major milestone, but it is not the end of the journey. We will work closely with the council on the long-term future of the site once the clearance is complete."
The Environment Agency is urging anyone with information about the Bolton House Road investigation to call its 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or its website.
