The illegal dump in Bickershaw, a village in the heart of the Makerfield byelection, has become a stark symbol of the north-south divide in the UK. This mountain of rubbish, towering over a residential street and next to a primary school, is more than just an eyesore; it's a festering wound that has festered for over two years, with no end in sight. The 25,000 tonnes of household and trade rubbish is a toxic time bomb, with rats, maggots, and noxious fumes plaguing the local community. This is not just an environmental disaster; it's a public health crisis that has forced residents to live in fear and discomfort.
What makes this situation particularly galling is the stark contrast between the swift action taken when similar incidents occur in the south. The discovery of an illegal dump in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, last year led to a rapid response from the authorities, with the Environment Agency (EA) announcing a multi-million-pound cleanup within weeks. This was a departure from their usual practice of pursuing criminal gangs and forcing landowners to pay for the removal of rubbish. The difference in treatment between the north and south is a stark reminder of the systemic inequalities that persist in the UK.
The outgoing Labour MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons, actively campaigned to get the dump cleared by the EA, and his efforts succeeded when the government announced that the agency would clear up the dump at a cost of millions to the taxpayer. However, despite these promises, the dump remains, a year and eight months after the first lorries were seen dumping waste. This is a stark reminder of the broken system that allows criminal gangs to make millions while communities endure the toxic impact of their trade.
The Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, who hopes to retain the seat for Labour in the byelection, is keenly aware of the impact of the illegal dump on local people. He has mentioned it in election leaflets and worked with Simons to try to force the authorities to remove it. Burnham's commitment to the north and his efforts to address this issue are a refreshing change from the usual political posturing.
However, the dump remains, and the north-south divide persists. The duchy of Lancaster, which owns part of the dump, has committed to working with Wigan council and the EA to address the issue, but the cleanup has yet to begin. The EA has stated that important steps must be taken before the clearance operation can begin, but the process is slow and the community is growing increasingly frustrated.
The ordeal for residents in Bickershaw began in October 2024 when lorries started arriving in Bolton House Road to dump rubbish. By January 2025, the number of lorries had grown to 20 or 30 per day, and the community has been suffering ever since. The smell from the dump has affected the price of properties and has forced residents to live in fear and discomfort. The impact on the local economy and the health of the community cannot be overstated.
The north-south divide is not just a political issue; it's a social and economic issue that affects the lives of ordinary people. The contrast between the swift action taken in the south and the slow response in the north is a stark reminder of the inequalities that persist in the UK. The dump in Bickershaw is a symbol of this divide, and the community is growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of action.
In my opinion, the north-south divide is a complex and deeply ingrained issue that requires a multifaceted approach. The government must take responsibility for addressing the systemic inequalities that persist, and the community must continue to advocate for change. The dump in Bickershaw is a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done, and it's up to all of us to ensure that the north receives the attention and support it deserves.
