Abandoned Waste Pile Sprouts Tomatoes in Wirral

In March 2025, a local dog-walker named Alan Howgate witnessed and reported the illegal dumping of a massive 100-tonne pile of waste under the M53 motorway in Bidston, Wirral. Six months later, as of September 2025, the unsightly mound remains untouched, with the surprising addition of tomato plants growing from it.

Howgate, who photographed the incident and alerted the authorities, is now "exasperated" by the lack of progress in addressing the issue. He estimates that around five truckloads of rubbish were dumped at the site, which is located near the Bidston Moss nature reserve and a retail park. Howgate fears the waste could have a negative impact on the local wildlife.

The site is privately owned, meaning the responsibility to remove the waste falls on the landowner. However, the Environment Agency and local councils can take enforcement action. An investigation by the EA is still ongoing, but no visible progress has been made so far.

This is not the first time waste has been illegally dumped at this location. In September 2021, a similar incident occurred, prompting an investigation and enforcement action by the EA. Now, the community is left frustrated, with local litter picker Steve Taylor expressing his exasperation at the lack of progress, stating, "It becomes the norm" if such issues are left unaddressed.