An illegal waste site in Wigan, containing approximately 25,000 tonnes of refuse, has been described as a significant environmental threat by the chair of the House of Lords Environment Committee, Baroness Sheehan. Her urgent appeal to the government follows a series of alarming incidents, including a 10-day fire that forced the closure of a local primary school and prompted residents to seal their windows against hazardous fumes.
Urgent Action Needed
Baroness Sheehan’s concerns centre on the waste dump located adjacent to a primary school on Bolton House Road in Bickershaw. During a recent site visit, she observed conditions that she deemed unacceptable for public health and safety. “This situation is not merely an environmental concern; it poses serious public health risks,” she stated in her correspondence to government officials.
The illegal dump not only threatens the air quality but also raises fears of further fires as warmer weather approaches. She noted, “As temperatures rise, the risk of fires increases, and infestations of rats and other pests will likely escalate, leading them closer to nearby homes.”
Government’s Reluctance to Act
Despite the clear dangers posed by the site, the Environment Agency has so far declined to take action, citing funding limitations. In a response to Baroness Sheehan, Susan Hayman, parliamentary under-secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, explained that while there are plans for cleanup, they depend on the availability of funds.
She highlighted that the agency had undertaken clean-up operations in other locations, such as Kidlington in Oxfordshire, where a significant environmental risk necessitated immediate action. However, Hayman asserted that the Bolton House Road site did not present an equivalent level of threat.
Ownership Complications
Complicating matters further, the land on which the waste has been illegally dumped has no clear owner, having reverted to the Duchy of Lancaster due to the common law escheat principle. As it stands, the Environment Agency lacks the authority to compel the Duchy to address the clean-up, leaving the situation in limbo.
Criminal investigations into the illegal dumping are ongoing, with four individuals arrested in connection with the Kidlington site. They have since been released while inquiries continue.
The Broader Context of Waste Crime
Baroness Sheehan’s letter also draws attention to the broader implications of waste crime across the UK, describing it as a burgeoning crisis that requires urgent governmental intervention. She likened the situation to a form of “new narcotics,” where the illegal disposal of waste creates not only environmental degradation but also public health emergencies.
Why it Matters
The situation in Wigan underscores a critical failure in managing illegal waste disposal, highlighting a gap in accountability and resources that could endanger public health and the environment. As communities face the consequences of negligence, it is imperative for the government and agencies to act decisively to protect both residents and the ecological integrity of the area. The call for action is not just about cleaning up a dump; it is about safeguarding communities and ensuring that such hazards are not allowed to proliferate unchecked.
