Wigan Council confirmed that Acumen has started bringing equipment onto the Bolton House Road site and clearing vegetation to allow waste removal to begin in the coming weeks.
The contractor was selected following a tender process led by the council, with contracts now signed after a compulsory standstill period.
The council estimates that around 18,000 tonnes of illegally deposited waste needs to be removed from the site, which has presented risks to residents and the environment.
Councillor Nazia Rehman, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “The contract signing and mobilisation at Bolton House Road is a clear sign of progress and a significant moment for the community who have had to deal with the impact of the illegal waste site.
“Reaching this stage also demonstrates the commitment of the council and partners to deliver the necessary framework for waste clearance, but our work does not stop here.
“We will continue to work with residents to ensure their voice is heard in the future of the site and will continue to support the Environment Agency’s criminal investigation to make sure those responsible are held accountable for the damage and distress they have caused.”
Bickershaw waste dump
The site accumulated large quantities of illegally deposited waste, including plastics and potentially hazardous materials.
A major fire broke out there in July 2025, prompting emergency services to declare a major incident.
Following the fire, a multi-agency partnership was established to manage the site, prevent further dumping and minimise risks to local residents and the environment.
The partnership includes the Environment Agency (EA), UK Health Security Agency, Defra, United Utilities, Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
The agencies have worked to prepare for the safe removal of the waste and identify appropriate disposal routes. Independent organisations have also sampled waste, water and odour at the site.
After securing government funding, Wigan Council led the procurement process for the clearance, with the approach agreed by the multi-agency group to ensure residents remained central to decisions.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle added: “We are taking decisive action in Wigan Borough to clean up this horrendous site and hunt down the criminals who left local residents to deal with the consequences.
“After years of waste crime being allowed to fester, our specially trained officers are targeting the organised gangs that fuel it, making over 30 arrests since April, and delivering justice for communities across the country.”
Waste crime investigation
The EA is leading a criminal investigation into the illegal dumping at Bolton House Road. Four men have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
The site has also attracted attention over land ownership, with Channel 4 News reporting in January 2026 that around a third of the site had become vested in the Duchy of Lancaster.
The clearance comes amid wider efforts to tackle large illegal waste dumps across England. Acumen Waste Services was also responsible for the clean-up of the illegal waste site at Hoad’s Wood in Kent.
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