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The UK government has announced that taxpayers will cover the cost of cleaning up three of the largest illegal waste dumps in England as part of its new national waste crime action plan. These enormous sites, located in Wigan, Sheffield, and Lancashire, collectively hold around 48,000 tonnes of rubbish and have been targeted for clearance by the Environment Agency. Additionally, a site in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, containing 20,000 tonnes of waste, is already undergoing cleanup at an expense exceeding £9 million.
Typically, clearing illegal waste on private property falls under the responsibility of the landowner. However, in these cases, the financial burden will be taken on by the public. Among the identified sites is a notorious dump in Bickershaw near Wigan, which ignited last summer and caused nearby schools to close due to toxic smoke. Local resident and beautician Nicha Rowson, who had to relocate her home studio because of the smell, welcomed the news of the cleanup but criticized the delay in taking action. She said, “Money’s been put before residents’ physical and mental health,” and expressed dissatisfaction that the responsible parties have yet to face prosecution despite taxpayers footing the bill.
The other two sites set for removal include a 20,000-tonne industrial dump in Sheffield and a 10,000-tonne tip in Hyndburn, Lancashire. Although the government has not disclosed the total cost of these efforts, it emphasized that detailed assessments are required to confirm the feasibility of the clearance operations. Earlier reports indicated that across England, there are hundreds of illegal dumps, with at least 11 “supersites” containing more than 20,000 tonnes of waste. One significant site in Over, Gloucestershire, witnessed intense dumping activity before a fire in June 2025 led to a reduction in operations, though the site remains unsecured.
Residents in Gloucestershire have voiced frustration over the absence of immediate clearance plans for the Over landfill. Charlie Coats, chairman of Highnam Parish Council, criticized the Environment Agency’s response, describing meetings as unhelpful and lacking urgency. A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson stated that the selected sites represent the “most egregious cases” but assured that enforcement efforts continue through various measures strengthened by the new action plan. The government also pledged an additional £45 million over three years to enhance enforcement capabilities, with plans for earlier intervention and stricter penalties against illegal waste operators, including potential imprisonment and public naming.
Philip Duffy, chief executive of the Environment Agency, stressed the need for the agency to adapt to the changing nature of waste crime, saying, “These measures will ensure we stay one step ahead of waste criminals and protect the communities, businesses and environment that they blight.” Furthermore, drivers caught fly-tipping could receive penalty points on their licenses. The plan also includes collaboration with the insurance industry to develop better policies that protect farmers, businesses, and landowners from costs associated with clearing illicit waste. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds emphasized that the government intends to hold waste criminals fully accountable, stating, “Waste criminals have been damaging our communities, countryside, environment and economy for too long.
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