'We can move on with our lives' as illegal tip clearance begins

A resident living next to a large illegal waste tip that led to rat infestations and a fire says her family can "finally move on with our lives" after work to clear the site began.

About 18,000 tonnes of waste began to be moved from Bolton House Road, near Bickershaw, Wigan, on Tuesday. The government-funded operation will see up to 25 lorry loads of waste removed a day and is expected to take until Spring.

Campaigner and resident Nicha Rowson said she was "absolutely ecstatic" but the community should not have had the smells or "this monstrosity on our doorstep" for two years.

Wigan Council leader Nazia Rehman thanked "everyone who has campaigned tirelessly to get us to this point".

Speaking of the impact the site had had on herself and her family, Nicha said: "It's been absolutely awful - we have had rat infestations, we have had seagulls, we've had smells."

She said one of her two autistic children had sensory issues, causing a heightened sense of smell from the household and commercial waste.

"It has been physically making him sick to the point that he is hardly ever at home - he just can't cope.

"So as a family, it has just absolutely torn us apart," Nicha continued.

"The mental health side of things is not great.

"We have got a child that's not at home all the time - to not tuck your child into bed every night is awful, you feel like a failure to your own family," she said.

"We work hard, you own your own home and you can't come home and enjoy that time as a family because you have got this monstrosity on your doorstep," the beautician continued.

In July 2025, a 10-day fire broke out at the site, forcing local businesses and a school to close.

"The biggest fear was the fire, especially with the heat this year," Nicha explained.

She fought against the site, initially raising it to Wigan Council and police but it was not until the fire broke out that she gained more traction.

She then began a petition that amassed about 20,000 signatures and reached out to the then mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, along with her then local MP, Josh Simons, who pushed for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to clean up the site.

Defra confirmed on Tuesday work had begun to clear the waste.

"I saw the first lorry being loaded up and it was just like the fight wasn't in vain," Nicha added.

"We can finally move on with our lives and look forward to summer without having all the smells about."

In a statement, Wigan Council leader, Nazia Rehman, 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.

"I want to thank everyone who has campaigned tirelessly to get us to this point.

"We want to continue engaging with local residents about how we can ensure a cleaner, safer future for the area once waste is completely removed from the site."

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