Wigan Council moves forward with illegal waste site clearance
Joint efforts to clear an illegal waste site in Bickershaw have taken a big step forward with Wigan Council looking to recruit a specialist contractor.
The move comes as the local authority has been given assurances that the funding required to do this will be provided by central government.
All agencies are in agreement that the work to clear the site is an urgent priority and the procurement process is underway.
A single contractor is preferred to manage the complex clear-up operation and minimise disruption for residents.
The Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor Nazia Rehman, said: “This is an important step, and we are aiming to move as quickly as possible. While the clearance itself will take time due to the complexities of the site, this is real progress.
“The multi-agency recovery group has pushed hard to bring this timeline forward and we remain aware of how the site continues to impact our residents. It is unacceptable and we are committed to resolving it. I want to assure residents that we are working as hard and as fast as we can.
“I would like to thank the Government for giving us the assurances we need to start spending money to get this process moving forward.”
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: "The illegal dumping of waste at Bolton House Road is disgraceful, and from speaking with residents, I know the toll it has had on their daily lives.
"I welcome this progress and we are working closely with Wigan Council to ensure they press ahead as quickly as possible, so residents can get on with their lives.
"Our Waste Crime Action Plan is cracking down on those responsible for this environmental harm and ensuring sites like Bolton House Road are never allowed to blight our communities again."
Over the past 12 months, the multi-agency recovery group has been working together to assess and sample the waste, manage public health risks, and identify potential contractors, costings, and licensed disposal routes – allowing them to move as quickly as possible once funding was secured.
Alongside the process of appointing a contractor, the group has already been looking at further action to protect residents, including contingencies to mitigate the risk of fires during the summer months.
Closure orders remain in place at both Bolton House Road and the neighbouring Old Cricket Ground to prevent access, while the site will continue to be monitored for illegal activity, safety issues, vermin and environmental impacts.
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency continues to lead a criminal investigation which saw a 58-year-old man from the Birmingham area arrested last month in connection with illegal dumping at the site and others across England.
He was arrested on suspicion of environmental, fraud and money laundering offences and has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.
Coun Rehman added: “We will continue to communicate with and support the local community over the coming weeks and months, ensuring their voices are heard.
“Wigan Council is leading on the clear-up operation, which is a decision reached by the multi-agency group to help speed up the process and will help bring the voice of the community to the fore.
“We continue to work in close partnership with the Environment Agency, Defra and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, who all agree that clearing the site is an urgent priority.”
A community engagement session is scheduled for next month with further details to follow.
Posted on Wednesday 24th June 2026