The illegal dump in Bickershaw, a village in the heart of the Makerfield byelection, has become a symbol of the north-south divide in the UK. This mountain of rubbish, a toxic waste dump, has been a blight on the community for over 20 months, with 25,000 tonnes of household and trade rubbish. The dump is an environmental and public health hazard, having caught fire for nine days last summer, forcing the school to shut and imprisoning residents in their homes to escape the fumes. This incident highlights the stark contrast between the swift response of the authorities to similar incidents in the south, such as the Oxfordshire dump, and the neglect of the north. The ongoing presence of the dump, despite the outgoing Labour MP's efforts, underscores the perception of the north being forgotten and left behind. Residents, like Nicha Rowson and Colin Peters, are frustrated and seek a change in leadership, particularly Andy Burnham, who has presented himself as a voice for the north. The Reform party, led by Richard Tice, has capitalized on the issue, calling it an example of Britain's decline under successive Conservative and Labour governments. However, the effectiveness of Burnham's efforts remains uncertain, as the dump still persists, and the community's hopes for a resolution are mixed. The duchy of Lancaster and the Environment Agency are committed to addressing the issue, but the process is slow, and the impact on the community's health and well-being persists. The Bickershaw dump serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the north and the need for a more equitable approach to waste management and environmental protection.
