Work finally starts to clear waste from notorious illegal dump site in Wigan
“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 under way.
Work has started a clear an illegal waste site in Wigan, the Government has announced.
The operation will see an estimated 18,000 tonnes of commercial and household waste dug up and removed from Bolton House Road, Bickershaw.
Specialist removal teams will aim to clear up to 25 lorry loads of waste each day, with the whole operation expected to be completed in spring.
The site has caused misery for residents and a fire started there in summer 2025, forcing a nearby school to close as a precaution, which is why the Government, working with Wigan Council, stepped in to clean it up.
The Environment Agency is hunting those responsible for the dumping and five arrests have been made.
This follows prime minister and Makerfield MP Andy Burnham announcing a crackdown on waste crime, with the Government and Environment Agency working together to tackle serious, organised criminal gangs.
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."
Wigan Council leader Coun 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 under way.
“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: “I’m really pleased to see work starting on the ground to clear this horrendous blight from people’s lives.
“I know it’s been devastating for residents to live with this awful site on their doorstep, and I hope seeing the first loads of waste leaving their community brings some relief.
“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 Government is working to clean up illegal waste sites nationwide.
It is increasing the use of drones, giving mayors and the police a bigger role, and introducing a dramatic rise in fines to deter those who dump illegally.
The Environment Agency is being given stronger powers to punish those who break the law.
Anyone with information that may assist the Bolton House Road investigation is asked to call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.