A major step has been taken in tackling the long-running illegal waste site in Wigan with a court order now in place to stop anyone accessing the land.
The closure order was approved at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (25 March), making it a criminal offence for unauthorised people to enter the site on Bolton House Road, Bickershaw, while work begins on assessing and preparing for its long-awaited clean-up.
This comes just days after the government confirmed it will fund the clearance of the site as part of its new Waste Crime Action Plan, something residents have been calling for since the huge fire there last year.
A big part of getting this over the line has been the work of Makerfield MP Josh Simons, who has been pushing the issue at a national level and raising it in government. His efforts have helped bring the situation in Bickershaw into sharper focus and secure the backing needed to finally deal with it.
People living nearby have had to put up with the impact of the site for a long time, particularly following the fire in July 2025, which raised serious concerns around safety and air quality.
The closure order should now stop any further dumping or suspicious activity while authorities get ready to remove the waste. There’s also been action nearby, with the Environment Agency placing a six-month restriction on the neighbouring “Old Cricket Ground” after reports of scrap being moved onto the land. Investigations are ongoing, with several individuals interviewed under caution.
For people in Bickershaw, this latest update is a sign that things are finally moving in the right direction, and that the clean-up of one of the area’s most frustrating ongoing issues could soon begin.
Wigan Council has also been involved, working alongside the Environment Agency and other partners since the fire last year, and securing the closure order to help prevent further activity on the site while preparations for the clean-up get underway.
