0:00:02 > 0:00:03From grappling with our daily grind...
0:00:03 > 0:00:08Why have they suddenly decided to dump all this waste in other people's bins?
0:00:08 > 0:00:10..to unearthing the extraordinary.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Wow, it's Wigan's gold mask.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Battling those blighting the streets...
0:00:14 > 0:00:16It's not acceptable, really.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18..bringing the community together...
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Hi, there. How are you doing?
0:00:20 > 0:00:22..and being on hand in troubled times.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26I've got kids. We can't even open bedroom windows because of the noise.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29So it's affecting everything. Sleep, day-to-day living, really.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33In this series, we follow front-line staff working for Wigan Council in
0:00:33 > 0:00:34Greater Manchester.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36I speak to the waste.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38I sort of say to it, like, "Come on, talk to me.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39"What have you got here?"
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Like council officers across the country,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43they are keeping us free from harm...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46You're looking at really serious injury or possibly death.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49..stepping in to try and solve our problems...
0:00:49 > 0:00:50I mean, it's constant.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52He'll be told today that we will be serving notice.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54..and responding to residents...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56- Much appreciate what you're doing, anyway.- ..when they...
0:00:56 > 0:00:58What was the enquiry today?
0:00:58 > 0:00:59..call the council.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Coming up - fly-tippers flouting the law pose a problem
0:01:11 > 0:01:13for council officers.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18There was a broken sheet of asbestos just on top.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20We all know about asbestos and how dangerous that is.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25History and heroes combine as the council names new streets.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Alfred was a local lad.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31Did a daring act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34So that's why we have named the street after Alfred Wilkinson.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38A decade of public service comes to an emotional end
0:01:38 > 0:01:40for one council employee.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41I'll sadly miss it.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43I will. I'll miss the kids, too.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50And while council and residents go on the run...
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Ladies and gentlemen, we are looking for a young gentleman...
0:01:54 > 0:01:58..officers step in to track down a missing person.
0:01:58 > 0:01:59That was Central Watch who look
0:01:59 > 0:02:01after all of our cameras in the town centre.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03We'll find him.
0:02:12 > 0:02:18It is the duty of the UK's 433 local authorities and over two million
0:02:18 > 0:02:22council employees to ensure that the infrastructure of all our cities,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25towns and villages run smoothly and efficiently.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33Trying to balance the books and making best use of the public purse in
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Wigan is environmental enforcement officer Alex Kay.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40I feel really responsible as an enforcement officer
0:02:40 > 0:02:43to make sure that we are providing a good service
0:02:43 > 0:02:45to the council taxpayers within Wigan,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48to ensure that they are living in a clean and safe and happy borough.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56In a few days, Alex will be joining his fellow Wiganers in the borough's
0:02:56 > 0:02:57annual 10K run.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04But even off the council clock and pounding the pavements in preparation,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08the bane of his life and the scourge blighting boroughs nationwide isn't
0:03:08 > 0:03:09far from Alex's mind.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13fly-tipping.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16I think it's really important that we, as a local authority,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19are seen to be doing something about this. Putting people to book,
0:03:19 > 0:03:23prosecuting people and putting the message out there that we are doing something about it.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25It won't be tolerated and that if you do
0:03:25 > 0:03:27come into Wigan and you do fly-tip your waste,
0:03:27 > 0:03:28they will be looking for you.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33fly-tipping is a criminal offence.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38Anyone who dumps rubbish illegally could face a fine of up to £50,000.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41But depending on the case, if taken to Crown Court,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43fines can be unlimited,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46and offenders can be imprisoned for up to five years.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Alex has received a call about a large amount of rubbish
0:03:55 > 0:03:56dumped next to a railway bridge.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04As you can see, this waste has all been bagged up.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10And it's basically rubble and rubbish.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Roof tiles. Empty silicone bottles.
0:04:17 > 0:04:18Builder's gloves.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Earlier, Alex made a dangerous discovery.
0:04:23 > 0:04:24There was actually...
0:04:25 > 0:04:29..a broken sheet of asbestos just about here this morning,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32which I noticed when I came through, just on top.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35It was broken up. So obviously we all know about asbestos and how
0:04:35 > 0:04:36dangerous that is.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43Asbestos can cause serious respiratory problems and is a risk to public health.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45So the council has paid to have it taken away.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50We've had to actually get a company to come in
0:04:50 > 0:04:53and remove that asbestos this afternoon.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56They've come in with, you know, a specialist contractor.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59And you're talking a good few hundred pounds
0:04:59 > 0:05:02that it has cost Wigan Council to get that contractor to come in to remove that waste.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08As a resident, you have the right to take your domestic refuse
0:05:08 > 0:05:10to a local tip for free.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Any commercial venture must pay for this disposal service.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18But as profit margins fall, incidents of fly-tipping rise.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23This waste has been put here for us to go and clear it up.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Because they don't want to pay for it.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31As the rubbish is not covering the pavement, but land to the side of it,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Alex suspects that it's on private land,
0:05:33 > 0:05:38so it would be the owner's responsibility to clear it away.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41The recycling tax, I think, is between £85 and £100 per tonne.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45So you know, by the time we have sent a crew down here
0:05:45 > 0:05:48with a sufficient-sized lorry to pick it up...
0:05:48 > 0:05:51You know, two or three lads to get it in the back of the van,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53you're looking at a couple of hours' work.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Then the recycling tax on top.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58So it all adds up, and it's all money that Wigan Council has to pay,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00or the council taxpayer of Wigan has to fund.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Having dealt with the hazardous asbestos,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Alex turns his attention to tracking down who might have dumped the waste.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14There is actually a CCTV camera on the shop across the road.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19So I am just going to nip into there now and see whether they've got any footage.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22If the shop's camera has caught anyone dumping the waste,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25it could be used as evidence in any case brought against them.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31I was hoping to go back over your CCTV to see if we can have a look,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33who has actually dumped it there.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Yeah, the CCTV...
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- Have a look and... - So it's the top there?
0:06:43 > 0:06:44You can see that much, yeah.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46You can see the top right-hand corner there -
0:06:46 > 0:06:48that is actually covering the area that I need.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Scrolling through the footage,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54it doesn't take long to discover when the offence took place.
0:06:54 > 0:06:562:20am on Monday, the waste is there.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58So at some point between...
0:06:59 > 0:07:01..midnight Sunday and 2:20am on Monday.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09So that's at 9:12am on Monday, 15 September.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Yeah, you can see the gentleman dumping the waste.
0:07:13 > 0:07:14But there is a hitch.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Unfortunately the CCTV isn't of the quality that will allow us to identify people.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24It's not the breakthrough Alex was hoping for.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Without evidence, there's not really a lot we can do.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31We are relying on witnesses and members of the public to come forward and
0:07:31 > 0:07:33provide us with evidence.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36And people don't want to live in neighbourhoods,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39and environments with waste dumped all over the place.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41The council is getting called out all the time,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43asking to come out and remove waste and stuff like that.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45So that is why it is important that we do...
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Members of the public can help us,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50and we work together to make Wigan a cleaner place to live.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58Coming up - more CCTV footage offers Alex a fresh lead.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01You can just about make him out starting to unload the waste.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18There are over 26 million homes and
0:08:18 > 0:08:23almost 250,000 miles of road in the UK.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Every house needs an address, and every street needs a name.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32In Wigan, it is David Heyes' job
0:08:32 > 0:08:35to decide what they are going to be called.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Whenever a new street is built,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39David has a new set of challenges to address.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45My job at the council is to name streets and create addresses.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50People just assume your addresses come from somewhere,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54and street names, and road names just appear.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56So it's a little known function.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59And there is a small group of us nationwide.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02So we are very dedicated, making sure we get this right.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Today David has come to Pennington Wharf,
0:09:11 > 0:09:16a large new estate being built on the site of an old colliery in Leigh.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27Covering 18 hectares and accommodating almost 500 homes when finished,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31David has his work cut out to deliver.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35It's a very big estate, this.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39I think it's in the region of probably about 40, 50 new street names,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41over maybe a five or six year period.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44And this is only the start of it.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53As you can see, we've already got residents living in these properties here.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56We need to get a name plate up here as quickly as possible.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03No street names could mean no emergency services, no mail,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06pizza delivery or bin collection.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10The dustbin collection, we were missed for three weeks.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13People, when they visit, they've been coming back, turning around,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16going back again and going back each street just to find our house.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19When they phoned us, "You're not in the sat-nav.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23"We can't recognise your postcode in the sat-nav," so lots of places are not recognisable.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27When we had the midwives coming round and the health visitors, they didn't know where it was,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29even though I gave them the street name, they couldn't find us.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33They ended up near the sales office and we had to go out and meet them each time.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36But David's on the case.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Just here we're going to need a street nameplate,
0:10:39 > 0:10:40and then over on the other side,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43we're going to have to duplicate that nameplate
0:10:43 > 0:10:48by putting another one in the ground here that's visible from traffic approaching that way.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49Simple, really.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54David's got quite a job on his hands.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55With dozens of streets to name,
0:10:55 > 0:10:59he heads to the council's archive to search for inspiration.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06With records dating back 800 years and over two million books and
0:11:06 > 0:11:10documents at his disposal, David is hoping that,
0:11:10 > 0:11:12by researching in the area's past,
0:11:12 > 0:11:16he can find some fitting place names to herald a new era.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26The rich coal seams in and around Wigan fuelled the Industrial Revolution.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29As technology developed, so did coal production.
0:11:29 > 0:11:3520 million tonnes of coal were produced by 100,000 Lancashire mines at the
0:11:35 > 0:11:37start of the 20th century.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39One of these was Bickershaw colliery,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43which is now the site of the new housing estate.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51And it's the starting point for David's research.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Helping him is local studies librarian Rita Musa.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Bickershaw Colliery, quite a few entries there.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04What's that telling us, then?
0:12:04 > 0:12:08In 1932 there was a cage accident, 19 men killed.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21The disaster at Bickershaw colliery in 1932, where 19 men died,
0:12:21 > 0:12:26led to a relief fund being set up by the Mayor of Leigh.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30He made an appeal to the nation, asking them to help the widows,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33children and dependents of the men who lost their lives.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- That's a big book. - Yeah, it certainly is.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41The Colliery Guardian, 1932.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- They've got the names of the miners. - Wow, this is what I really need.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53This is exactly where the housing estate is going.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54This is great, Rita.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03This whole site is steeped in history.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08And what we're going to get with a new housing development is a complete new generation.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12What I don't want is the new generation to forget the past.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15The history of the mining community and the people who worked hard
0:13:15 > 0:13:19and toiled hard down the coal mines to make this area as it is today.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23These are all parts of the history of the site
0:13:23 > 0:13:26that we need to remember for the future generations.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35David's research also reveals something even more unexpected about one
0:13:35 > 0:13:36very special miner.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40As well as miners who worked in this colliery,
0:13:40 > 0:13:44I've come across a gent who won the Victoria Cross in the First World War.
0:13:45 > 0:13:46Alfred Wilkinson.
0:13:55 > 0:14:01The Victoria Cross is Britain's highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08On 20 October 1918, during an attack at Marou, France,
0:14:08 > 0:14:13four men were killed in succession trying to deliver a very important message.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16Despite their deaths,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20Private Wilkinson volunteered to run the errand.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25He made the 600-yard dash under heavy shell and machine-gun fire.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Against all odds, he succeeded.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Here's a guy who went to war, served his country,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43won the highest accolade with the Victoria Cross,
0:14:43 > 0:14:48came back, worked down the dirty mines, sadly died there.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53The least the council can do is honour this guy with a new street name and
0:14:53 > 0:14:58erect a special name plaque to show that he won the Victoria Cross.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02This estate is going to be built in a number of phases.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07Phase 1 will include a nice central road area,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11that I think it would be wholly appropriate to name after a Victoria Cross winner.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14And to commemorate him,
0:15:14 > 0:15:20we will commission a special gold Victoria Cross nameplate to be erected on site.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29Coming up - David helps commemorate Wigan's war hero.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31But the task requires a steady hand.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- Just slowly peel it back. - I'm very nervous.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37I don't want to get this one wrong.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51From commemorating heroes of the past,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54to saying goodbye to heroes of the present.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59School crossing patrolman Ted Williams
0:15:59 > 0:16:03has been keeping the children of Wigan safe for over ten years,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05and today is his last day.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08I'll sadly miss it, I will.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10I'll miss the kids too.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12I don't want to get too emotional.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16# Lollipop, Lollipop
0:16:16 > 0:16:17# Oh, Lolli, Lolli, Lolli
0:16:17 > 0:16:18# Lollipop, Lollipop... #
0:16:18 > 0:16:25Local councils introduced school crossing patrols in 1953, and their role is vital.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Tragically, every year,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32around 2,000 children are involved in serious accidents
0:16:32 > 0:16:34on the roads in Britain.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39These numbers would be considerably higher if it wasn't for the UK's
0:16:39 > 0:16:41lollipop men and women.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45Ta, love.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Come rain or shine, over the years,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Ted has seen the children safely across the road.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55I'll miss the kids.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Seeing them go from here to high school and leave high school.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Ted has taken his responsibilities very seriously,
0:17:05 > 0:17:07but has also become a friend to these children,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11their parents and the teachers at this school.
0:17:11 > 0:17:12Ta, love. Bye, pal.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Thanks very much.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17And today, it seems like everyone's got a present for him.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19I haven't got enough hands here!
0:17:22 > 0:17:25With a heavy heart but a boot full of gifts and cards,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Ted's morning shift is over.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35But instead of heading home,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39today Ted is the guest of honour at a very special assembly.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Boys and girls, look this way, please.
0:17:45 > 0:17:46Shhh!
0:17:48 > 0:17:49OK, good afternoon, children.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- ALL:- Good afternoon, Mrs Middleton.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Good afternoon, everybody.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58And why are we here today? What's our special reason?
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Ted's going to leave.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Ted's leaving us.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04We've done an assembly today for Ted
0:18:04 > 0:18:06because he's been with us a long time.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09He's helped our children cross the road safely for years,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11so we thought it would be nice to mark the end of his work
0:18:11 > 0:18:14with the council with a nice assembly for him.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Do you want to show Ted what you've got?
0:18:17 > 0:18:19That's a card they've made for you.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22'He's part of their lives, he's part of our school community,'
0:18:22 > 0:18:25the children love seeing him every morning.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27They talk about him all the time.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30They know he's going to be there when they come to school in the morning
0:18:30 > 0:18:32and when they go home in the evening.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35You know, he's played a massive part in their childhood.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38He is very special to them, so I think he'll be greatly missed.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Have you got anything you want to say to all these lovely children, Ted?
0:18:42 > 0:18:44I've enjoyed working with you kids,
0:18:44 > 0:18:49crossing you all the time I've been here.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51You'll be sadly missed.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53APPLAUSE
0:19:05 > 0:19:07As the day draws to a close,
0:19:07 > 0:19:11it's home time for the children and it's Ted's final shift.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Come on!
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Ta-ra.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17Ta-ra. See you again.
0:19:17 > 0:19:18Ta-ra.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Yeah. Ta-ra, lad. Ta, lad.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26See you again.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27Ta-ra. See you again.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31It's the end of an era for Ted.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33See you, lad.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35See you again. Ta-ra.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38That's your lot.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- That's it, Ted.- That's it.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41All done.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Kept them in as much as I could.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Time to hand over the reins, in the form of a giant lollipop,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52to his supervisor.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- You can have that.- Hand over your lollipop stick.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58But if retirement doesn't live up to Ted's expectations,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02the council's door is always open for such a committed employee.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07And remember, if you ever want these back, you'll be more than welcome.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Yeah, ta, love.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16A new patrol person will take over after the summer holidays to carry on
0:20:16 > 0:20:21the important job of keeping our kids safe when heading to and from school.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38From heroes to villains.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Environmental enforcement officer Alex Kay has been investigating
0:20:42 > 0:20:45a fly-tipping incident on the outskirts of Wigan.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48This waste has been put here for us to go and clear it up because they
0:20:48 > 0:20:50don't want to pay for it.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54In a bid to find out who dumped the rubbish,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Alex has accessed some local CCTV footage.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Yeah, you can see the gentleman dumping the waste.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03But he couldn't see the offenders clearly enough.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Unfortunately, the CCTV isn't of the quality that will allow us to
0:21:07 > 0:21:08identify people.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Now, a few weeks into the investigation, Alex has a fresh lead.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22A local recycling centre reported that it had to turn a man away after
0:21:22 > 0:21:26they found asbestos in waste he had brought to the depot to recycle.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33Given that asbestos was also found in the rubbish dump by the roadside,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36it's led Alex to think that the two incidents might be related.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41So this is the vehicle arriving at the waste recycling centre.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46The first thing they did was we got the automatic numberplate
0:21:46 > 0:21:49recognition, which gave us the details of the van that had gone in.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50That gave us the licence number.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58It transpired that the van had been hired to a man called Shahzad Chishti,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02who has been renovating a property near the location of the fly-tipped waste.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10You can just about make out Mr Chishti starting to unload the waste.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12In most local authorities,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16anyone using a van to dispose of rubbish at a public tip
0:22:16 > 0:22:18requires a free permit from their council.
0:22:19 > 0:22:25This is so the council can ensure the only waste being dumped is domestic.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29So it's just at this point now where one of the waste recycling operatives
0:22:29 > 0:22:32has started to question the driver of the vehicle about the type of waste.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Mr Chishti had a permit, but it was in someone else's name.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42He said that he was unaware that the rubbish contained asbestos,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46and it was only spotted when operatives at the centre inspected the waste.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48As a result, he was turned away.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53He's closed the back doors of the van
0:22:53 > 0:22:58with it still quite full, and gets into the vehicle and drives away.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Alex has requested a meeting with Mr Chishti...
0:23:12 > 0:23:17..who's converting an old pub into flats near the railway bridge where the rubbish has been dumped.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23They've got concerns. They think it's actually come from my building
0:23:23 > 0:23:26because of the construction stuff, and I'm trying to say it hasn't.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29So I'm here with my receipts to...
0:23:30 > 0:23:33..show that I've been disposing of my rubbish responsibly.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40Mr Chishti has travelled from London for today's meeting with Alex.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41The reason for the interview,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44it's for him to put his point of view across
0:23:44 > 0:23:47and for him to tell us anything he thinks is relevant.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50It's annoying to drive up for four hours just...
0:23:51 > 0:23:53..to say that you haven't done something.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Still to come - Alex is under pressure from the locals to get the rubbish removed.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03It's really bad because...
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Near enough everybody who walks past, everybody who lives around here,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09they're complaining about it, saying,
0:24:09 > 0:24:10"When is it going to be shifted?"
0:24:11 > 0:24:15A local war hero is commemorated in gold.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Just slowly peel it back.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19Very nervous. Don't want to get this one wrong.
0:24:22 > 0:24:23Try and get this to work.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26And, in the early hours of Sunday morning,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30the race is on to get Wigan readied for 3,000 fun-runners.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32The show will go on.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47A new estate is being built in the borough of Wigan,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51but life is tricky for residents living on streets without a name.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55The dustbin collection, we were missed for three weeks.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57When they phoned us up, "Oh, you're not in the sat-nav.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58"We can't recognise your postcode."
0:24:58 > 0:25:02When we had the midwives coming round and the health visitors,
0:25:02 > 0:25:03again they didn't know where it was.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07But Address Management Officer David Heyes, who names new roads,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10made an inspirational discovery.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Here's a guy who went to war, served his country,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16won the highest accolade with the Victoria Cross.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21The least the council can do is honour this guy with a new street name and
0:25:21 > 0:25:26erect a special name plaque to show that he won the Victoria Cross.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Today, David is visiting the council's sign shop
0:25:40 > 0:25:41to help put the finishing touches
0:25:41 > 0:25:47to Wigan war hero Alfred Wilkinson's specially designed gold street sign.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01From small "No Parking" notices to 5-metre square road signs,
0:26:01 > 0:26:06the sign shop produce around 2,500 signs a year.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08That's around 50 a week.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14But this gold street sign commemorating a Victoria Cross hero
0:26:14 > 0:26:17is one of their most important yet.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21From discovering all the research to getting the name approved,
0:26:21 > 0:26:25to actually seeing it being made, it's really rewarding and pleasing.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27I can't wait to see this up on site.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32So, Dave, do you want to finish the VC and put the cross on?
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- Go on, I'll have a go.- OK.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40I'm very nervous. I don't want to make a mistake, get this one wrong.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41- Peel this back?- Yeah.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Remembering 100 years of history, David unpeels the past.
0:26:49 > 0:26:50The pressure is on.
0:26:57 > 0:26:58Perfect.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07Yeah!
0:27:09 > 0:27:12The sign is now ready to be put on site.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Absolutely brilliant.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Careful with that nameplate, lads.
0:27:25 > 0:27:26Don't drop it.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34A lot of work went into that nameplate.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35I don't want it damaged.
0:27:37 > 0:27:38Spot-on.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40On nearby roads,
0:27:40 > 0:27:44some of the nameplates commemorating other miners and the colliery that
0:27:44 > 0:27:47this estate is built on are already up.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57As the finishing touches are made, residents gather to learn more.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Hiya, I'm glad you've come out.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Hi.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05- Do you know the story of why the council has named this street Wilkinson Park Drive?- No, we don't.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07You don't? Alfred was a local lad.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10He went to fight for Queen and country in the First World War,
0:28:10 > 0:28:15awarded the Victoria Cross, survived the war,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19came back to his local town, carried on working down Bickershaw colliery,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23and sadly died in a colliery disaster.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26So that's why we named the street after Alfred Wilkinson.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28I think it's very fitting, really.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32This area was a strong mining community in the past, so it's good, yeah.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Yeah, well done, Wigan Council, for doing it.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38- So we are getting it right? - You are certainly getting it right. - Thank you very much.
0:28:38 > 0:28:39Made my day. Thank you.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44A lot of people don't know about Alfred Wilkinson.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48So to see that, we're very proud of it and I'm sure that
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Alfred's family will be proud of it and the fact that he has
0:28:51 > 0:28:56got some commemoration in the area.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59It makes you more aware of your history.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Remember what these people have done.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03I think it's a nice gesture.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06The locals seemed to take an interest in the sign straightaway,
0:29:06 > 0:29:10asking questions. There's nothing more rewarding than that.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18By giving these streets their names,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21David's made sure residents can receive their post,
0:29:21 > 0:29:24their pizzas, and the emergency services can reach them.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29But he's also etched the estate's past into its present.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34They shouldn't be forgotten and there's lots of young people, OK,
0:29:34 > 0:29:35we're at the other end of the scale,
0:29:35 > 0:29:40but there's lots of young people on this site, and it's nice for them
0:29:40 > 0:29:42to have a little bit of history, as well.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44So, well thought out.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Environmental enforcement officer Alex Kay
0:30:01 > 0:30:04is investigating an incident of fly-tipping.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08The waste left near a railway bridge contained asbestos,
0:30:08 > 0:30:11and Alex is trying to find out who dumped it.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Asbestos kills people, at the end of the day.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18So people dumping asbestos in the open air,
0:30:18 > 0:30:22where the wind can pick it up and blow it into housing estates or
0:30:22 > 0:30:26you know, across playgrounds, roads, schools, children, adults,
0:30:26 > 0:30:30people are breathing that in and it can cause no end of long-term damage.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35The asbestos was removed quickly.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39But four weeks after the council was first called about the dumped waste,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42the rest of the rubbish remains in place.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Local residents want it gone.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49I'm not happy about it. There's going to be all sorts of rats and stuff running around.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52The street is only there, you know what I mean? Someone needs to clean it up.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54It's really bad because...
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Near enough everyone who walks past, everyone who lives round here,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00they're complaining about it, saying,
0:31:00 > 0:31:01"When is it going to be shifted?"
0:31:03 > 0:31:04We're like, "Well, we don't know.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07"All we can do is just keep complaining to the council."
0:31:10 > 0:31:15Alex is under pressure to get the waste removed and find out who left it there.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21He has invited Mr Shahzad Chishti to council HQ.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28Mr Chishti is converting an old pub into flats near the railway bridge where the rubbish was dumped.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34He was also turned away from the recycling centre with a vanload of waste
0:31:34 > 0:31:35that included asbestos.
0:31:37 > 0:31:38During the interview,
0:31:38 > 0:31:42Mr Chishti admits that he took some rubbish to the recycling centre
0:31:42 > 0:31:47and that it is him on the footage, but he denies fly-tipping anywhere.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53I hired a van, and I loaded the van up, spent my whole weekend taking it to a recycling centre.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58I had to bring it back because the recycling centre wouldn't take it.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03Mr Chishti also believes that there is further evidence supporting his case.
0:32:04 > 0:32:05They presented their evidence,
0:32:05 > 0:32:09which was pictures of waste that they believe is my rubbish.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13There is discrepancies if that is my rubbish because the colours of the
0:32:13 > 0:32:16bags in their picture are slightly different to the one in mine.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22Mr Chishti's denials mean Alex is no closer to finding the culprit.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26We've showed all the evidence and asked the questions
0:32:26 > 0:32:31that we needed to ask and gave him his opportunity to put his point of view across, which he has done.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33I don't fly-tip. I've got...
0:32:33 > 0:32:36I've been paying for skips.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39A couple of thousand pounds for skips to dispose of my rubbish safely.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42I'm not stupid enough to fly-tip.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Alex's investigation hits a dead end.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51The council is no closer to finding out who dumped the waste,
0:32:51 > 0:32:53and so its search for the fly-tipper continues.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02But there is some good news.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Alex has established that a railway company owns the land
0:33:05 > 0:33:08that the rubbish is on and has persuaded them to move it.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13They say it's going to take them three trips in the van to get rid of the waste,
0:33:13 > 0:33:15but hopefully at the end of the day it will all be gone.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21After five hours, the rubbish is finally removed,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24costing the railway company over £1,000.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Now, like his fellow Wiganers,
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Alex can also enjoy a rubbish-free journey to work.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36I'm delighted that it's finally been moved because I have to drive past it twice a day.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56When it comes to council tax, the public expects value for money,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59and opinions on whether they are getting it vary nationwide.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Council tax keeps going up,
0:34:03 > 0:34:07but they're not providing you with extra services to counteract that.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09They're not showing you what the money is being spent on.
0:34:09 > 0:34:10They do a vital job.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14And these days, it is just the vital jobs that I see them do.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16I'm not really sure. I'm not actually sure
0:34:16 > 0:34:19what they're providing, to be honest with you.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22They're there to try and provide the services that
0:34:22 > 0:34:23we need as a community.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27We need to be able to support that by identifying what those needs are.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30I drove through a pothole the other day
0:34:30 > 0:34:33that had been there for three weeks. It cost me £200 to fix my car.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35That could have been fixed a bit quicker!
0:34:43 > 0:34:46In Wigan, it's four o'clock on Sunday morning.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54And while most Wiganers are sound asleep,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57council town centre manager Mike Matthews
0:34:57 > 0:35:03is beginning one of the busiest days in the borough's calendar - Wigan's annual 10K run.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09There is about six large-scale events we do that will attract between
0:35:09 > 0:35:1210,000 and 20,000 people through the year.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14Yes, the pressure is on us, the eyes are on us,
0:35:14 > 0:35:18so we need to make sure we're actually getting everything 100% right.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22If it goes wrong, the whole event could be a complete disaster.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27It's going to be like this now for about three hours, very hands-on.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30And once the stage is built and we've done the sound test,
0:35:30 > 0:35:32the day gets a little bit easier.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36In less than six hours, an expected 3,000 runners,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38cheered on by 15,000 spectators,
0:35:38 > 0:35:40will be descending on the town centre.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45In the 30-odd years I've been doing this type of event management,
0:35:45 > 0:35:47I've never had a problem, but there's always a first time.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52But an early start doesn't mean it'll be Easy Street while setting up.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56This morning, it's going to be the late-night rebels that are just coming
0:35:56 > 0:35:59out of the nightclubs between four and six o'clock,
0:35:59 > 0:36:01so we'll just have to watch our backs.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03While we're trying to do our thing,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06you've got cars whizzing by and people who have had a few to drink,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08which makes it a little bit more exciting.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13Right on cue, Wigan's revellers are rolling out.
0:36:15 > 0:36:16Mate!
0:36:16 > 0:36:19It's the sort of thing I've warned the lads about before,
0:36:19 > 0:36:22about watching the odd vehicle come through. Very dangerous.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24It's that way.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28But it's not the partygoers that present Mike with his first problem.
0:36:28 > 0:36:29Try and get this to work.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36Mike and his team need to inflate a giant stage,
0:36:36 > 0:36:38and without power from the generator,
0:36:38 > 0:36:39there is no puff to blow it up.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42There's a warning light flashing there.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47Luckily for Mike, Wigan has its very own Power Ranger.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52The show will go on.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00With 60 square metres of stage to put up,
0:37:00 > 0:37:061,100 metres of barriers to put in place, and over 1,000 cones to put out,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09for Mike and his team, every second counts.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19It's lovely now. The sun is up, the stage is up, everything is working.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21So we can have five minutes.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- It's gone really well.- Yeah.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34In the UK, nearly seven million Britons ran for charity in 2014,
0:37:34 > 0:37:36raising around £2 billion.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Wigan is now race-ready, but Mike's job is far from over.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Throughout the day, he will oversee the entertainment,
0:37:50 > 0:37:54monitor the markets and manage the safety of visitors to the town centre.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58It's a little bit later than we thought.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00The police I'm expecting any time now,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02so I'll just do a quick briefing session with those.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06I'll gather the stewards together and we'll just go over some of the security issues.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10Quick breakfast, and then the show starts in half an hour at nine o'clock.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16The 10K is in its third year.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Amongst the runners warming up today is a team from the council.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23In their ranks is environmental enforcement officer Alex Kay.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29There's 20 of us running today in aid of the Mace charity.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31This is the second time I've done this,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34but I was a bit more prepared last time.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36It's 10K, 6.2 miles, so it should be doable.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39Right, good to go.
0:38:41 > 0:38:46Ready to race, Alex is leaving the frustrations of fly-tipping behind.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51The event isn't just about raising money for charity.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55Entertainment on Mike's stage, and other stalls and attractions,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57are generating cash for local businesses,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00and the community has come together.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03MUSIC: (We Could Be) Heroes by Alesso
0:39:22 > 0:39:25As Alex jogs on, there is a report of a missing person.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28Mike needs to find him.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Can you give Pete a live feed on stage?
0:39:31 > 0:39:35We've got a missing person, he's just going to do a shout-out.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Ladies and gentlemen, can you please be on the lookout,
0:39:38 > 0:39:42we're looking for a young gentleman who's wearing a Marvel jacket with a
0:39:42 > 0:39:46Spider-Man T-shirt and I'm told he has blue bottoms and a navy striped top.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50Mike's missing person is somewhere amongst the thousands of visitors
0:39:50 > 0:39:53crowded into the town centre.
0:39:53 > 0:39:54Gentleman, 29-year-old.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58But he's being helped by the council's CCTV control room.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03That was Central Watch, who look after all our cameras in the town centre.
0:40:03 > 0:40:08They've just contacted us to say they've heard the report of the missing person. They'll find him.
0:40:08 > 0:40:14You can plan as much as you want and you can do all your risk assessments, event management plans,
0:40:14 > 0:40:16but there's always the unknown that you've got to cater for,
0:40:16 > 0:40:18and that's where experience comes into it, really.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20We can plan to the nth detail,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23but it's about being there on the day and then dealing with something,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26the unknown sometimes, that might happen.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30While Mike's search continues,
0:40:30 > 0:40:33runners are beginning to cross the line.
0:40:41 > 0:40:46Alex has the end in his sights and his focus is on finishing the race in a respectable time.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52With the sun beating down,
0:40:52 > 0:40:54the runners are pushing themselves to the limit.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06About 55 minutes, I think, which is all right considering
0:41:06 > 0:41:08the lack of training. Yeah, it was good.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09A bit tired now, though.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Made up. I'll go and get a drink.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Mike's also had a result.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22As I was walking back up into the town centre,
0:41:22 > 0:41:25met the police officers with the mother and I'm pleased to say the young gentleman, as well.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29So she was overwhelmed, hugging the police officer.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32They had obviously been reunited, so happy ending, I'm pleased to say.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Community kept safe and thousands raised for charity,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43the runners and spectators head home.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48But Mike and his team still have a long way to go.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51The event's now just finished in the town centre.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54What we've now got to do is take all the lighting rigs, the PA,
0:41:54 > 0:41:57take our stage down, load four vans up.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Once that's been done, we'll then start taking all the waste away and will
0:42:00 > 0:42:03probably get done round about eight o'clock this evening.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11It's been a long but successful shift for Mike and his crew.
0:42:14 > 0:42:20While Alex and the council 10K team can be proud of the £900 they raised for their chosen charity.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45It's been another busy shift for Wigan's council officers.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50A pavement is finally free of fly-tipped waste.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54I'm delighted that it's finally been moved because I have to drive past it twice a day.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58Local heroes will be remembered by a new generation of residents.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02That's why we've named the street after Alfred Wilkinson.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05And a fun run ran without a hitch.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07I'm made up.
0:43:07 > 0:43:08I'll go and get a drink.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13The reason why we like working the long shifts, and the team as well,
0:43:13 > 0:43:15is because they see people's faces.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17It's the impact that we make.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20You do get a big high out of that, to be honest with you.