BICKERSHAW — Workers have not started removing a 25,000-tonne illegal waste dump in Bickershaw, Wigan, more than a year after a fire and weeks after the UK government pledged taxpayer funds for its cleanup. The government announced earlier this year that the Environment Agency would remove the site.

The waste site has remained in place for more than 20 months. A section of the waste dump extends onto fields adjacent to a primary school. The accumulation of household and trade waste sits on a residential street next to the school.

A fire at the waste site lasted nine days during the summer of last year. This fire resulted in the closure of the adjacent primary school and required nearby residents to remain indoors. Local residents reported that the dump produces strong odors and attracts rodents to nearby homes and vehicles.

The Environment Agency committed funds to clear the illegal waste site in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, within weeks of its discovery.

Local resident and beautician Nicha Rowson said, "If you look at the Oxfordshire one, that got agreed to be tidied up relatively quickly, and that was due to it being a fire hazard. This has already been on fire, for nine days, so it's a north and south divide yet again." Between October 2024 and January 2025, the volume of lorries delivering waste to the site increased to between 20 and 30 per day.

The Duchy of Lancaster holds ownership of a portion of the land containing the illegal dump. Ownership reverted to the Duchy because previous property owners could not be identified. Illegal waste dumping costs the UK economy approximately £1 billion annually through cleanup expenses, lost business revenue, and evaded taxes. The UK landfill tax rate is £130.75 per tonne.