The devastating impact of illegal waste dumping is a story that needs to be told. Imagine living in a home that has become a prison, a place where your child's health is at risk due to the sheer magnitude of an illegal waste dump. This is the reality for Nicha Rowson and her family, who reside just meters away from a major illegal waste site in Bickershaw, Wigan.
Nicha's eight-year-old son, Oliver, who has autism, has had to move out and live with his grandmother due to the physical illness caused by the dump's overpowering smell. "It's like being separated parents," Nicha explains, highlighting the toll it has taken on their family's mental health and well-being.
But here's where it gets controversial... The family's home has been infested with rats, so much so that they had to tear down their ceiling to address the issue. Nicha even found a dead rat in her living room. "Rats were everywhere," she recalls, describing how they ran along fences and streets.
This is not just an isolated incident. Waste crime is a growing issue across the country, with criminal gangs exploiting the system and making huge profits. Being paid to remove rubbish and then illegally dumping it without proper sorting or tax payment is an easy way to make a fortune, with minimal legal repercussions and devastating environmental costs.
The previous head of the Environment Agency even referred to it as "the new narcotics." It's estimated that a fifth of all waste in England is being illegally managed, amounting to a staggering 34 million tonnes annually. This costs the economy around a billion pounds each year, and legitimate operators are believed to lose a further £3bn in missed business opportunities.
Last July, Sky News tracked down a group of suspected organized fly-tippers who boasted about their cash on TikTok after dumping waste in the countryside. Nicha feels like she's failing as a parent, fighting a battle she can't seem to win. The dumping started in the autumn of 2024, and within months, the quiet scrapyard transformed into a mountain of waste.
In July of last year, during a heatwave, a major incident occurred when the tip caught fire. The local primary school had to close for several days, and residents were sent to the hospital. The fire burned for nine days, causing a strain on resources and leaving residents without water for an extended period.
Nicha feels abandoned by the Environment Agency and the local council. She and her husband, both self-employed and working long hours, feel their plight is being ignored. "Our house isn't worth anything now, and no one cares," she says.
The waste dump has devalued their property, and they worry about not having enough to cover their mortgage if they were to sell. Nicha's message to the Environment Agency is clear: "Stop thinking about the money and passing the buck. Think about the mental and physical health of the residents."
So, what's being done about this issue? A spokesperson for the EA stated that they are paying to clear a similarly sized site in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, due to new information about fire risks and potential impacts on key infrastructure. However, this decision has led to accusations of bias, with the local MP Josh Simons questioning why exceptional circumstances seem to only apply to middle-class areas and not working-class towns like Wigan.
The divide was also raised in the House of Lords by Baroness Sheehan, who emphasized the hazardous and rotting nature of the waste in Bickershaw, calling for it to be a high priority for resident and school children's safety.
An EA spokesperson responded, acknowledging the impacts on the local community in Wigan and assuring that they are doing everything to ensure the perpetrators pay for the cleanup, not taxpayers. Wigan Council is also taking action, paying to clear the part of the site that has spilled onto a nature reserve they own.
The council has written to the Environment Agency, questioning why funding was available for the Oxfordshire site but not for Bolton House Road. They are calling on the government to make funding available to address the risks and detrimental impact on residents and the primary school.
This story highlights the urgent need for action and raises important questions: Are the authorities doing enough to protect residents and the environment? How can we ensure equal treatment and support for all communities affected by waste crime? Join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments.
