Latest news with #illegalwaste
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
'Major incident' declared in Greater Manchester town amid 'illegal waste' fire
A major incident has been declared after a major fire at an 'illegal waste' dump continues to rage on more than a week later. The fire broke out, involving thousands of tonnes of illegal waste, along Bolton House Road in the Bickershaw area of Wigan last Tuesday evening (June 1). Fire crews raced to the scene to tackle the blaze and urged people nearby to keep their windows and doors closed. Emergency services remain on the scene eight days after the fire erupted, with smoke continuing to smoulder, which posed a risk to nearby residents. The fire service also remain on scene using machinery to move the waste and continue dampening hotspots. READ MORE: Met Office expands thunderstorm warning as flash floods could hit UK - full list of areas affected READ MORE: Emmerdale fans 'rumble' Eddie's link to unexpected villager in Kim Tate 'con' Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here The former scrapyard has recently been used as an illegal rubbish dump littered with scrap vehicles, tyres and thousands of binbags containing household waste. Last week, MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons, said he chaired an emergency meeting with police, the fire service and local council over the issue, and said he was 'p***ed off' that the blaze had been allowed to occur, despite repeated attempts at trying to get the area cleared of the waste and voicing the concerns of nearby residents. "I've been flagging it for months and I've been asking for timelines and not always got them," he said in a social media video. "I am p***ed off that this has happened. You are too. And we are going to get answers." In an update on Wednesday (July 9), Wigan Council confirmed it had declared a major incident over the fire, due to the timescale and resourced needed at the scene to continue tackling the blaze. A 24/7 hotline was also set up for residents affected by the fire, with local businesses closing, a school also forced to shut and issues with water pressure at nearby homes also reported. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE "Wigan Council has been working closely with its partner organisations Environment Agency, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and United Utilities to respond to a fire at Bolton House Road, Bickershaw," a statement read. "Wigan Council has assisted the operation by providing additional water tankers and equipment, including cranes and diggers, managing traffic flows and visiting nearby residents to offer support. "We have declared this to be a 'major incident', reflecting the timescale and level of resources required so far. "There has not been a significant deterioration in conditions onsite and there is no reason for residents to be concerned or alarmed. This 'declaration' enables us to bring in more resources and support as we continue to work with GMFRS, United Utilities and other partners to contain the fire and support local residents. "When water pressures dropped, United Utilities delivered bottled water to customers registered on the priority services register, and Wigan Council arranged further temporary bottled water to local households. Residents were also invited to access washing facilities at council-owned leisure centres. "Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service continue to work on site to put out the fire, supported by partners including Wigan Council, United Utilities and Greater Manchester Police." The statement added: "We understand that residents are frustrated with the situation, and we are working hard to resolve this. "There is ongoing partnership working with Environment Agency, Greater Manchester Police, Wigan Council and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency into alleged illegal waste dumping activity at the site." A new letter, penned to Andy Burnham, Wigan Council and the Environment Agency by MP Joshua Simons said: "I am immensely frustrated this fire has happened. Residents first raised this illegal dump with me in the new year. "Since then, I have met regularly with the Environment Agency, GMP and Wigan Council to underscore the major public health and safety risks, including serious fire. We warned this would happen - and we were right. "In this fire, the people I represent are suffering again because their voices have not been heard and their warnings have fallen through the cracks between agencies." The MP for Makerfield has demanded that action is taken to remove the waste swiftly as soon as the fire is eventually put out. In a statement to the M.E.N, he added: "I've written to the Environment Secretary, Steve Reed today, because I want the Environment Agency to be held to account. Greater Manchester Fire Service have been working hard to control the fire. "I know that residents are, like me, grateful for their help. But this fire should never have happened, and it is a huge failure on the part of public bodies that nothing was done about the toxic, illegal site in the months residents were warning about it. "After flooding in January, Andy Burnham and I worked hard to get agencies talking to each other and working together. But it shouldn't be this hard. Good people are being harmed by criminals who should be behind bars. Why should my constituents suffer from a lack of action from public bodies?"
The Sun
05-07-2025
- The Sun
Wife of crime boss ‘Hotdog' to ‘live in tent' when illegal scrap yard is shut down as she's kicked out of 8-bed home
THE wife of a crime boss has claimed she may have to live in a tent when she is evicted by authorities next week. Mary Smith, 48, and her husband Tommy 'Hotdog' Smith will be imminently booted from their eight bedroom detached house in Great Harwood, Lancashire. 2 2 The couple's site is also stacked with static caravans and stables for dozens of horses. Those occupying the land will be evicted after a court order was issued by Judge Guy Mathieson following a spate of criminality, including illegal waste collection and fires. In May, firefighters spent several days putting out raging fires outside the illegal scrapyard after illegal waste was dumped in the area. And following reports of a disturbance at the site on Bonfire Night in November, cops were attacked with fireworks as they attempted to defuse the issue. Mrs Smith's lawyers accepted the justification for the order, but argued the welfare of the couple's children and animal should be highlighted and argued for partial closure. This was swiftly rejected by Judge Mathieson. Mrs Smith alleged that tenants she had previously evicted were responsible for the fires and that she had no affiliation with them after Mr Smith was jailed seven years ago. Mrs Smith replied: "Me and my daughter Indiana have bought a tent, a two man tent. That is all." The judge asked: "You have a £1.4 million turnover and you are going to live in a tent?" Mrs Smith replied: "I don't know what you are talking about. I don't own any business. Sir, I think you have got it wrong. "My husband has been in jail for the past seven years, I haven't had any business for at least six years. "At the moment sir, I have had to sign on benefits." Mark Chester, representing Lancashire Constabulary, said there was a 'staggering' list of previous enforcement action going back 'years' to tackle issues on the site. He said: "None of these measures have had the necessary effect and what is very clear is that as soon as these orders lapse, the lucrative business of waste management continues. "This has been years of misery being heaped on local residents." He added that neighbours were unable to open their windows due to "putrid smells" coming from the site, with some suffering breathing difficulties. Judge Mathieson granted a full closure order meaning more than 100 officials from the police, council, RSPCA and Environment Agency will move in to secure the site and prevent occupants from access. He said: "The fact is, the occupants of this site have done nothing to address the reasons behind the closure order. They have, either directly or indirectly by letting their tenants, continue to commit nuisance and continue to operate a highly profitable business. "The only way to ensure the cessation of this is to grant a full closure order."
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Environment Agency prosecutes firm for Lincolnshire waste dump
The owner of a company that dumped waste illegally has been given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay almost £100,000 in fines, costs and confiscation Foxhills Limited was found to be running a waste site without a permit at Thorpe Farm, Skendleby, near Spilsby, in Matthew Berry, 46, of Dairy Lane, Blyborough, was handed a 36-week suspended prison sentence at Lincoln Crown Court on 7 May after he and his business pleaded guilty to the Daly, a manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Rogue contractors and operators in the waste sector should take note: we will not tolerate illegal waste activities in Lincolnshire." She added: "We will take enforcement action to protect the environment, people and legitimate businesses."The agency said Berry, the sole director of SBR Foxhills, took control of Thorpe Farm in April 2021, but had no environmental permit or authorisation to store or treat moved baled waste, which had been stored in a building, on to a concrete pad on the site and left it to rot after it was exposed to the weather. The agency said that, despite attempts to work with Berry, the waste remained at the site before legal action was taken in the hearing last Wednesday, Berry was told he would be subject to a curfew between 21:00 and 05:00 for three months. Berry was ordered to pay £5,000 costs and a surcharge of £154, while SBR Foxhills Limited was fined £20,000, ordered to pay costs of £29,626.35 and a £190 and his company were given a confiscation order of £45,000 for the recovery of the proceeds from the crime. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
