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

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...

By Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent and Sandra Laville