Latest news with #JoshSimons
BBC News
10-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wigan 'toxic' waste fire forces children to miss school
A "toxic" waste fire which had been burning for more than a week has forced nearby businesses to close and children to miss several days of school, an MP has said. A major incident has been declared after the blaze broke out on Bolton House Road in Bickershaw, Wigan, which firefighters finally put out earlier after 10 days. Labour MP for Makerfield Josh Simons said the fire, thought to have started with illegally-dumped waste, "never should have happened" and that he had been asking for assistance from the Environment Agency to clear the waste site for months. The Environment Agency has been contacted for comment. In a letter written to Environment Secretary Steve Reed, Simons said children at the nearby Bickershaw CofE Primary had missed "multiple days at school" because of the fire and that United Utilites was dealing with "toxic water run off". "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," Simons Council said the school had since re-opened. The authority said it had declared a major incident on Tuesday because of how long the fire had been burning and the resources it required. The authority said it was working with the Environment Agency to look into alleged illegal dumping at the site. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
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?"
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
"I'm p***ed off": MP rages after 'illegal' waste dump erupts into huge blaze
An MP has said he is 'p***ed off' in a ranting social media video after an 'illegal' pile of waste erupted into a huge blaze in Wigan on Tuesday evening (July 1). Residents were told to keep their windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke covering the area, after the fire broke out involving a 'large amount of waste' on Bolton House Road in the Bickershaw area. Fire crews raced to the scene to tackle the blaze throughout the evening, with a clean up operation and investigation now underway. READ MORE: "Sometimes I want to shout move!": Life next to yellow box junction raking in thousands in fines READ MORE: 'My son made one silly mistake and paid with his life - this is my plea' Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons, said he chaired an emergency meeting with police, the fire service and local council following the fire on Wednesday (July 2) as he issued an update on his social media platform. After the fire broke out, he also issued a 'furious' statement about the fire, which he said involved an 'illegal waste dump', which he has been claiming was a 'risk' to the public for some time. "I want to update you about a few things, because I'm as p***ed off as you are," he said in a video on Facebook. "I've been flagging it for months and I've been asking for timelines and not always got them. Here's what's going to happen next. "First, I have asked Wigan Council and the Environment Agency for a specific timeline and a detailed plan about how and when they are going to remove the waste from the site. They have assured me that's possible, there is no legal barrier, all they need to do is develop a plan and make sure they can find the money. "Second, I've been assured by the Environment Agency and the police that there is an ongoing, live, criminal investigation. I have asked for what details of that investigation I can share with you to show the progress they have been making." He continued: "I am p***ed off that this has happened. You are too. And we are going to get answers." Greater Manchester Police said the cause of the fire is unknown and that officers are awaiting further information. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Huge blaze involving 'illegal waste' erupts as residents told to close windows
A huge blaze involving 'illegal waste' erupted in Wigan on Tuesday night (July 1) as residents were urged to keep their windows and doors closed. The fire broke out, involving a large amount of waste, along Bolton House Road in the Bickershaw area. Fire crews raced to the scene to tackle the blaze. The amount of smoke being produced by the fire caused the fire service to urge those living nearby to stay away from the area and close their windows and doors. READ MORE: 'Armed police' storm residential street and arrest man following incident READ MORE: Mum told 999 operator son, 3, had been 'ripped to pieces' after being attacked by two dogs at farm, trial told Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here MP for Makerfield Josh Simons issued an 'furious' public statement about the fire, which he said involved an 'illegal waste dump', as he vowed to get answers for residents. "I've received multiple reports of a serious fire at the illegal waste dump on Bolton House Road. Emergency services are on the scene and the fire is under control. Residents are asked to keep away but there is no immediate risk to life," he posted. "I'm furious this has happened. I was due to visit the site THIS Friday, leading a site visit of all the relevant agencies - Environment Agency, Greater Manchester Police, and Wigan Council. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE "I've been pushing for action, chairing cross-agency meetings and asking for updates, for MONTHS. I've said time and again, this is a risk to residents, to kids round the corner, and flagrant criminal activity cannot be allowed to stand. "I have called an emergency meeting of all the relevant agencies which I will chair on Friday. I WILL get answers for you. I WILL hold those responsible for clearing up this mess to account." A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are tackling a fire involving a large amount of waste on Bolton House Road in Bickershaw, Wigan "Nearby residents are advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the smoke being produced." --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SLB and Cactus Drilling collaborate to boost automation
SLB has entered into a strategic collaboration with Cactus Drilling to advance the adoption of automated and autonomous drilling solutions in the oil and gas sector. This partnership is set to deliver optimised performance through improved operational efficiency and execution consistency by scaling advanced digital solutions. The collaboration will see Cactus enhance its current use of SLB's Precise automated drilling control systems by integrating DrillSync, SLB's automated controls platform and software suite. These technologies aim to boost drilling efficiency, increase equipment utilisation, and provide real-time data insights for better execution. SLB Well Construction president Cecilia Prieto said: "This collaboration signifies a new chapter in the adoption of SLB's digital drilling solutions, offering a pathway for scaling intelligent solutions to improve drilling performance and safety. "This agreement with Cactus is an important step in shaping the future of well construction and aligning performance goals between SLB, drilling contractors and operators." Furthermore, the agreement will facilitate the deployment of DrillOps, SLB's AI-powered drilling automation and advisory solution, along with Neuro, which supports self-learning, autonomous directional drilling, and geosteering capabilities. These are part of SLB's portfolio of digital drilling technologies and services, poised to transform drilling operations. Cactus Drilling president and CEO Josh Simons added: 'The expanded partnership with SLB allows us to offer our customers the benefits of leading-edge automation and control technology and leaves us well-positioned to deliver even greater value by strengthening the safety, precision and consistency of our drilling operations.' Also, this May, SLB and Subsea 7 were awarded a substantial engineering, procurement, construction, and installation contract by BP (bp) for the Ginger project offshore Trinidad and Tobago. This contract is the first project award under a global framework agreement between bp and the Subsea Integration Alliance, which includes SLB OneSubsea and Subsea 7. "SLB and Cactus Drilling collaborate to boost automation" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
