Government begins removal of 18,000 tonnes of waste in Wigan 2026

Key Points

• Demolition has commenced to clear the illegally dumped waste at Bolton House Road in Bickershaw, Wigan.
• A total of 18,000 tons of commercial and domestic waste will be extracted and removed.
• Specific teams hope to remove 25 loads of waste daily.
• It is anticipated that the clean-up process will be completed in spring 2027.
• The clean-up process is being carried out by the government in partnership with the council of Wigan; Acumen Waste Services Ltd is the contractor.
• There was an outbreak of fire at the site in July 2025 resulting in a temporary closure of the nearby school and other businesses.
• The Environment Agency is overseeing the criminal investigation for the unlawful dumping.
• It has been revealed that there have been five arrests made in relation to the criminal investigation; Environment Agency has separately announced four arrests in August 2026.
• It is stated by the Government that the clean-up is an aspect of the crackdown on the waste crime that includes increased drone deployment, enhanced enforcement powers and fines.
• The Environment Agency is urging people to report any information by calling the 24-hour hotline at 0800 807060 or anonymously to Crimestoppers at 0800 555111.

Wigan (Manchester Mirror) November 10, 2026 — A major government-funded clean-up has begun at the notorious illegal waste site on Bolton House Road, where an estimated 18,000 tonnes of commercial and household waste will be dug up and removed.

As reported by the UK Government, specialist removal teams will aim to clear up to 25 lorry loads of waste each day. The operation is expected to be complete in spring 2027.

The site, near Bickershaw in Wigan, has accumulated illegally deposited waste since 2024. The Government said the clean-up is intended to bring relief to residents who have experienced major disruption because of the site.

Wigan Council has appointed Acumen Waste Services Ltd to carry out the clearance work. The council said on-site waste removal began in November 2026 after preparatory works and mobilisation.

Why is the Wigan waste site being cleared?

The clean-up follows a significant fire at the Bolton House Road site in July 2025. As reported by the BBC, the fire led to the temporary closure of nearby businesses and a school.

Wigan Council said the fire response resulted in waste being deposited on council-owned land. The authority expects to remove around 8,000 cubic metres of waste as part of the wider response.

The council said a multi-agency partnership was established after the fire to manage the site, prevent further waste deposits and reduce the impact on the public and environment.

A closure order remains in place at Bolton House Road, while a restriction order applies to the neighbouring Old Cricket Ground to prevent unauthorised access.

How much waste will be removed?

The Government said the operation will remove an estimated 18,000 tonnes of commercial and household waste.

The Environment Agency previously found that about 23,000 tonnes of mixed shredded waste had been stored on land without an environmental permit.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the clean-up is estimated to cost £4.8 million. The Manchester Evening News reported that the operation will involve excavating and transporting both commercial and household waste away from the location.

Who is investigating the illegal dumping?

The Environment Agency is leading a criminal investigation into the illegal dumping at Bolton House Road.

The Government said five arrests have been made as part of the investigation.

In August 2026, the Environment Agency announced that four men had been arrested in connection with large-scale illegal dumping at the site. The arrests related to suspected environmental, fraud and money laundering offences.

Wigan Council said a 58-year-old man from the Birmingham area was arrested in May in connection with illegal waste dumping at multiple sites across England, including Bolton House Road. Four further arrests were made in August.

The BBC reported that the five individuals arrested in connection with the investigation are currently on bail.

What has the Government said?

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: “No community should have to live with the misery that illegal waste sites like this in Wigan inflict on their everyday lives.”

She said the Government was taking “decisive action” to end waste crime and described the clean-up as an important step in putting things right for local people.

The Government said it would put more officers on the frontline and use drones to find those responsible. It also said serious offenders could face prosecution and imprisonment.

Dame Angela said:

“This local community has had to put up with this illegal waste site for too long, and the unacceptable impact it has had on their lives.”

She added that the Government would continue engaging with residents about securing a cleaner and safer future for the area once the waste had been removed.

What has the Environment Agency said?

Caroline Berry, area environment manager at the Environment Agency, said the agency had made a number of arrests in connection with the ongoing investigation.

“We’ve made a number of arrests in connection with the ongoing investigation, and our focus remains on bringing those responsible for this atrocious crime to justice,”

she said.

The Environment Agency said removing the waste was a major milestone, but not the end of the process. It said it would work closely with Wigan Council on the long-term future of the site once clearance is complete.

The agency urged anyone with information that may assist the Bolton House Road investigation to call its 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060. People can also report information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or through its website.

What wider action is planned on waste crime?

The Government said the Wigan clean-up is part of a wider effort against illegal waste sites, including one at Midland Road in Bradford.

Sites were prioritised according to their scale, risk to nearby communities, environmental damage and links to persistent non-compliance and organised waste crime.

The Government said it would increase the use of drones, give mayors and police a larger role, and introduce a “dramatic rise” in fines to deter illegal dumping.

It said rogue operators who dump waste illegally or fail to treat it correctly could face fines of up to £5,000, up from the current maximum of £300.

The Government also said the Environment Agency’s powers to confiscate cash, cars, houses and other assets bought with the proceeds of waste crime would grow, supported by new powers in the Crime and Policing Act 2026.

Last week, the first meeting of a new Waste Crime Crackdown Group took place. It was chaired by Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle and brought together regulators and law enforcement bodies.

The Environment Agency’s 10-Point Plan on waste crime includes suspending or revoking permits and naming and shaming illegal operators.

Background of the development

The illegal waste site at Bolton House Road was established in late 2024, according to Wigan Council.

The Environment Agency began an investigation after waste was deposited at the site. The council said the agency’s investigation had also covered other sites across England.

In July 2025, a fire broke out at the site and lasted for several days. Wigan Council said the emergency response led to waste being deposited on council-owned land.

The council closed the site on July 21, 2025.

In March 2026, a closure order was granted to prevent unauthorised access while assessments and preparations for waste removal took place.

In September 2026, Wigan Council announced that it intended to appoint Acumen Waste Services Limited, subject to contract, to clear the site.

The council later confirmed that the contractor had been appointed and that work on site was under way.

Prediction: How this may affect local residents

For residents of Bickershaw and nearby communities, the start of removal may reduce the immediate presence of waste at the site and could limit further disruption caused by the illegal dumping.

The operation is expected to continue until spring 2027, meaning residents are likely to see lorries, excavation activity and site operations in the area for several months.

If the clean-up is completed as planned, the main immediate benefit would be the removal of waste from the site. The longer-term effect will depend on the Environment Agency and Wigan Council agreeing on the future use and condition of the land after clearance.

The investigation may also affect those suspected of involvement in the dumping. However, arrests do not establish guilt, and any criminal case would depend on evidence, charges and proceedings before the courts.

For local households, schools and businesses, the Government’s stated intention to keep communities informed during the removal process may provide a route for raising concerns about disruption, safety and the site’s eventual restoration.