Bickershaw Waste Dump Cleared, New Enforcement Powers

0:00On March 20, a massive illegal waste dump in Bikershaw has finally prompted action from the government, which just announced plans to clear the entire site. The Dunk caught fire back in July 2025 and burned for over a week after piling up since October 2024. The Environment Agency has been on the case with a major criminal probe interviewing suspects and trying to track down those responsible. Officials say they're using all available tools to handle it, but locals point out it could have been stopped much sooner. Residents like Andrew Humphreys are dealing with awful smells, rodent infestations, and a real sense of fear that's keeping people indoors and, isolated. Makerfield MP Josh Simons calls it a total blight on homes, businesses, and even a nearby school, and he's thrilled about the cleanup but frustrated. It grew so huge under watch. In related news, the government wrote out new enforcement powers to stop these waste mountains before they start. And another smaller dump in, Heimburn, Lancashire, will also get cleared.

1:04Taxpayers are footing a multi-million pound bill for both, with the land partly owned by Wigan Council and the Duchy of Lancaster. Simons knows the Environment Agency is leading the effort now, with fresh resources to act faster in the future and prevent repeats like this. Nightmare in Bikershaw