Residents Face Ongoing Issues from Illegal Waste Site
Residents living near an illegal waste site in Bickershaw report feeling neglected as they contend with rats, flies, and a persistent, unbearable odor.
The site, located on Bolton House Road, contains approximately 25,000 tonnes of waste and caught fire last summer, resulting in the closure of nearby schools.
Impact on Local Residents and Families
Nicha Rowson, a beautician who relocated her home-based studio due to the stench, described the community as being "on edge" with concerns about potential fires reigniting.
"We've had rats in the house. We do see a lot of rats running round the streets and gardens."
"I used to work from home but due to the tip I have had to move elsewhere which has meant I have lost clients and business, as well as having to find childcare for my kids,"
She also shared the challenges faced by her family, noting that one of her two autistic children is only able to stay at home one night per week due to the smell, which causes physical sickness and prevents him from eating or drinking.
"Her eldest child 'jumps a mile thinking it's a rat' if anything moves in a bush," she added.
"The smells have been unbearable. We've had multiple fires. The flies. The smells.
"[Bolton House Road] used to be a community driven street and now our homes are basically unsellable."
Resident Marilyn Naylor described the situation during warmer months.
"In the summertime the smell was dreadful.
"It's difficult. You're not angry, you're sad really. You're worried about the animals, worried about the kids.
"I just hope it gets sorted out soon."
Waste Accumulation and Clean-Up Challenges
The waste began accumulating in October 2024 and has continued to increase since then.
A clean-up operation is currently underway, but progress has been hindered by disputes over financial responsibility for the removal.
The land is partially owned by multiple parties, including Wigan Council and the Duchy, which inherited a third of the site under an ancient law.
Typically, landowners are responsible for clearing illegal waste; however, the Duchy is exempt from this liability under the law.
Community Concerns and Living Conditions
Resident Andrew Humphries described the scale of the waste and its effects on daily life.
"The mound of rubbish is bigger than the houses. You have to keep your windows and doors shut.
"If it's warm or a misty day, the smell is like driving behind a dustcart all the time,"
"We feel forgotten about. There are rats issues.
"Children don't play outside now.
"Everyone feels frustrated that nothing is being done."
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described the situation as a nightmare due to the site's size and the constant traffic of wagons.
Neighbour Carol expressed the community's desire for solutions.
"We want some answers and help to get it shifted.
"We don't know what we're breathing in. We had the fire, the school closed.
"You can't open your windows, you can't enjoy the garden. Even the country park stinks."
Authorities Respond and Future Actions
A joint summit involving the fire service, Environment Agency, and Greater Manchester Police is planned in the coming weeks to address the issue.
Deputy Mayor Kate Green acknowledged the significant harm caused to the community and emphasized the urgency of clearing the site.
"This is causing very significant harm to the local community and is extremely frustrating for the residents.
"We are extremely concerned if we get a period of dry weather or if the waste starts to gets disturbed it increases a fire risk, so its strongly our view that the site needs to be cleared as soon as possible and they deserve action."
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham described the site as "an ocean of rubbish" and suggested the need for intervention from national agencies.
"We probably do need an intervention from the National Crime Agency, Environment Agency to deal with a problem on that scale."
Wigan Council stated that those responsible for dumping the waste should bear the cleanup costs, or failing that, the landowners should take responsibility.
A council spokeswoman said:
"As one of the impacted landowners, we are making efforts to clear the waste on our land.
"We continue to implore all landowners to take the necessary steps to fulfil their own obligations, and we call on the government to make funding available – via the Environment Agency or other department – to help remove the waste, as has been done for other sites."
The Environment Agency previously stated that waste crime "scars our communities" and reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the issue in Wigan alongside the local council and police, as well as nationwide.
The BBC has reached out to the Environment Agency for further comment.
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