What is the current situation?
Since Tuesday, 1 July, Wigan Council has been working closely with its partner organisations Environment Agency, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and United Utilities to respond to a fire at Bolton House Road, Bickershaw.
Wigan Council has assisted the operation by providing additional water tankers and equipment, including cranes and diggers, managing traffic flows and visiting nearby residents to offer support. A 24/7 emergency helpline was set up immediately and is still in place. Residents can call 01942 489018 if they are in need of support.
Due to the amount of water being drawn from its network, United Utilities received reports of low water pressure from some of its customers in the area. To support residents and keep water flowing through taps, United Utilities delivered bottled water to those residents signed up to its priority services register. The water company also ensured the tankers remained until the close of the incident to support GMFRS’ firefighting operation. Wigan Council arranged further temporary bottled water to local households. Residents were also invited to access washing facilities at council-owned leisure centres.
Council officers made contact with any residents who required additional support.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service continue to work on site to put out the fire, supported by partners including Wigan Council, United Utilities and Greater Manchester Police.
On Thursday 10 July, GMFRS confirmed that the fire was extinguished and the major incident was stood down.
On Friday 18 July, Magistrates granted a closure order on the site.
What is a closure order?
A closure order stops any unauthorised persons entering the site. Currently, the only people permitted onto the site are the landowner and representatives of organisations such as the Environment Agency.
This order means that no one will be able to get on site to dump more waste. It is in place for the maximum period allowed of three months, and can be extended.
The order will be enforced by GMP. Any reports can be made via 101.
This order was brought forward by Wigan Council, in partnership with the Environment Agency, GMP, GMFRS and United Utilities.
What are the next steps?
We have moved from a response to recovery phase, which means we are focusing our efforts on addressing the long-standing issues regarding the land and activity on site, in partnership with the Environment Agency who are leading the operation and Greater Manchester Police.
What are you doing about the waste site?
We understand that residents are frustrated with the situation, and we are working hard to resolve this.
There is ongoing partnership working with Environment Agency, Greater Manchester Police, Wigan Council and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency into alleged illegal waste dumping activity at the site.
As part of their ongoing investigation, the Environment Agency has asked us to share evidence of alleged illegal activity on site. Residents can share information with the Environment Agency directly by calling their 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.