Bickershaw waste site closed after serious fire blazed for days

With a fire reported at an industrial waste site around Bolton House Road on Tuesday, July 1, an emergency operation between Wigan Council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and United Utilities continued for several days.

Although the Bickershaw blaze was kept largely under control, it still had a big impact on the community as large plumes of smoke bellowed into the area.

Bickershaw Primary School, for example, decided not to open due to safety concerns, while nearby residents and businesses suffered with low water pressure and were given emergency water bottles.

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A joint operation between Wigan Council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and United Utilities ensure the site was safe (Image: Wigan Council) With the area reported to be a hotspot for fires and illegal waste dumping, Makerfield MP Josh Simons said he was "furious" with the latest incident, adding that "flagrant criminal activity cannot be allowed to stand".

Following an investigation into the incident, Wigan Council has enforced a temporary closure order at the waste site at Bolton House Road.

This order closes the site and will ensure that no further waste can be dumped, which is effective for the maximum initial period of three months and can be extended.

The site will now be closed for a minimum of three months (Image: Wigan Council) A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “Our teams and partners have worked to turn around this order as quickly as possible, to stop any further activity at this site.

"The order covers the vehicle entrance and as much as possible of the wider site, to ensure that it cannot be accessed.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson, added: "We're continuing to work with our partners to protect the public and the environment.

"The Environment Agency regulates waste sites, which must have an environmental permit or waste exemption to operate, and ensures they comply with environmental regulations.

"We are carrying out a formal investigation at this site and won't hesitate to take any necessary enforcement action, if appropriate.

"We urge people with any information that may help our investigation to contact our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60."

This closure order will be enforced by Greater Manchester Police, and any reports can be made to 101.

Residents can share evidence of alleged illegal activity on site with the Environment Agency directly by calling their 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.