A three-week trial to extinguish two hotspots at a small underground fire at Green Lane in Leigh – known locally as Queensway – will begin this month.
Alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Wigan Council has been closely monitoring the underground fire since 2021.
From mid-August, the council will begin working on site with a specialist contractor to trial a new method with the aim of extinguishing two of the fire’s hotspots.
Aidan Thatcher, director of place at Wigan Council, said “I really want to reassure everyone that there continues to pose no risk to the homes near to the underground fire, either from the fire itself or from the planned trial.
“We want to be proactive in tackling the underground fire and ensure it continues to present no risk, and to reduce the impact it is having on the local woodland.”
The Council is working with specialist designers and contractors Wardell Armstrong LLP and Landfill Projects.
Gavin Campbell, Service Director at Wardell Armstrong LLP, said “Wigan Council have commissioned us as specialists to carry out this trial injection grouting within a small area of smouldering colliery spoil in Queensway Tip in Leigh.
“The work involves the placement of small quantities of a liquid grout to control and extinguish the fire.
“In the past, tip fires in the borough have been remediated by excavation, cooling and replacement.
“The trial will not involve significant excavations and should have minimal environmental impact.
“The site working area will be secured during the trial to ensure the safety of members of the public, with appropriate warning signs posted.
“If the grouting trial is successful it could provide a quicker, cheaper and more sustainable method to extinguish the subsurface smouldering fill beneath a small part of the site.
