Live Roundups Editor's Desk Insights Executive Ops Weather About 🔍
Home › Business & Finance › Illegal dump becomes ‘symbol of north-south divide’ at...
Business & Finance

Illegal dump becomes ‘symbol of north-south divide’ at heart of Makerfield byelection

The Guardian Environment Sunday 14 June 2026, 06:00 UTC By Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent and Sandra Laville 1 min read
Key Points

Failure to clear up rotting, rat-infested site is a key issue for local people as they weigh up politicians’ promisesA mountain of rubbish sits behind a metal fence in the village of Bickershaw, where it has remained for more than 20 months. For many residents, it is a physical manifestation of the north-south divide as well as a rotting, rat-infested symbol of a broken system in which organised criminal gangs make millions while communities endure the toxic impact of their trade. The 25,000...

Failure to clear up rotting, rat-infested site is a key issue for local people as they weigh up politicians’ promises

A mountain of rubbish sits behind a metal fence in the village of Bickershaw, where it has remained for more than 20 months. For many residents, it is a physical manifestation of the north-south divide as well as a rotting, rat-infested symbol of a broken system in which organised criminal gangs make millions while communities endure the toxic impact of their trade.

The 25,000 tonnes of household and trade rubbish is one of the largest toxic waste dumps in the country. Unlike many illegal dumps that appear in woodlands, by rivers and on farmland, this one is in the heart of a residential street, right next to a primary school.

Continue reading...
Makerfield (PERSON) Bickershaw (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian Environment Read original →

Related Stories

McInnes agrees Rangers deal to replace Röhl

Rangers agree deal with Derek McInnes to replace RB Salzburg-bound Danny Röhl as head coach Sunday 14 June 2026 08:02, UK Derek McInnes has agreed a deal in principle to become the new Rangers boss. Final details are being ironed out but McInnes will leave Hearts, who he guided to a second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership last season, and sign a three-year deal at Ibrox. McInnes will replace Danny Röhl who has agreed a deal to join RB Salzburg.

Sky Sports Football just now

McInnes agrees Rangers deal to replace Röhl

Derek McInnes: Rangers agree deal with Hearts boss to replace RB Salzburg-bound Danny Röhl as head coach Derek McInnes is set to become the new Rangers head coach with Danny Röhl heading to RB Salzburg; final details being confirmed for McInnes to leave Hearts, who he led to second in the Scottish Premiership; Rangers return for pre-season training next week Sunday 14 June 2026 08:22, UK Derek McInnes has agreed a deal in principle to become the new Rangers boss. Final details are being...

Sky Sports Football just now

SpaceX Surge Further Boosts Saudi Billionaire Prince’s Fortune

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Saudi billionaire and founder of Kingdom Holding Co., poses for a photograph in the penthouse office of Kingdom Holding Co., following his release from 83 days of detention in the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Alwaleed was the most prominent among hundreds of Saudi businessmen, government officials and princes who were swept up in November in what the government called a crackdown on corruption.

Bloomberg Markets 18m ago

‘Make a statement’ with ‘fresh and inviting’ B&M item in new £5 deal

‘Make a statement’ with ‘fresh and inviting’ B&M item in new £5 deal B&M promises shoppers they can make a 'scented statement' with one of its latest deals available now Shoppers looking to make their homes "fresh and inviting" may want to take a look at a new deal at B&M. The discount retailer claims the item "makes a scented statement". The Dusk Luxury Home Fragrance is available now for £5, and comes housed in a dark-tinted glass jar with a thick base and rounded square shape. Inside is a...

Daily Mirror 1h ago