Mineshaft halts major dump clearance after one day

Work to clear an illegal waste dump ground to a halt on the first day after a coal mine was discovered under the site.

Wigan Council said efforts to remove the 18,000-tonne pile on Bolton House Road in Bickershaw, Wigan, was stopped because of "historical mineshafts on site that could cause a risk with repeated heavy lorry loads".

About 18,000 tonnes of rubbish, on Bolton House Road near Bickershaw, Wigan, had been building up since 2024.

Five people were arrested earlier this year as part of the investigation into the dump, which Prime Minister Andy Burnham said had "blighted communities"..

A council spokesperson said the contractor for the project needed to carry out further construction work "to be assured that the route is safe".

The spokesperson said: "We want to reassure residents that work has started on site and this waste clearance is expected to complete in spring next year, as planned.

"To avoid disruption to residents who've already suffered enough, we're accessing the site through former mining land rather than the residential road.

"Due to historical mineshafts on site that could cause a risk with repeated heavy lorry loads, the contractor needs to carry out further construction work to be assured that the route is safe for this type of activity.

"Works are continuing on site and we are committed to continuing to keep local residents updated as we undertake the complex work of clearing the site."

The Bolton House Road site has caused concern for residents after a fire started at the site in summer 2025, forcing a nearby school to close as a precaution.

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