Fly-tippers submerge field in enormous heap of garbage
Billy Burnell
Illegal dumpers have discarded a huge quantity of garbage in a open space in Oxfordshire.
The "environmental catastrophe occurring in plain sight" is approximately 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) high.
The huge pile has materialized in a open area alongside the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.
Parliament representative raised the problem in parliament, saying it was "posing risk of an environmental disaster".
An environmental charity said the unauthorized garbage pile was established about a recently by an illegal operation.
"This constitutes an ecological disaster developing in full view.
"Daily that passes increases the risk of toxic run-off entering the waterways, contaminating fauna and threatening the health of the whole river basin.
"The Environment Agency must respond now, not in extended periods, which is their standard reaction time."
Access ban had been put in place by the environmental authorities.
It is difficult to identify any specific pieces of waste as it looks to have been shredded with soil combined.
Some of the rubbish from the uppermost part of the mound has collapsed and is now only five meters from the waterway.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which indicates it flows through Oxford before joining the Thames.
Official recording
The representative petitioned the government for support to eliminate the illegal site before it resulted in a fire or was carried into the water network.
Speaking to parliament members on Thursday, he said: "Illegal operators have deposited a huge quantity of illegal plastic waste... amounting to many tons, in my district on a water-adjacent land alongside the River Cherwell.
"Stream volumes are growing and thermal imaging demonstrate that the rubbish is also warming, raising the danger of blaze.
"The Environment Agency stated it has inadequate capabilities for regulation, that the anticipated expense of clearance is greater than the whole yearly funding of the regional government."
Environment minister commented the government had taken over a underperforming waste industry that had caused an "widespread problem of unauthorized waste disposal".
She told MPs the agency had issued a access ban to halt additional access to the location.
In a announcement, the agency confirmed it was investigating the situation and appealed for information.
It said: "We understand the public's concern about situations like this, which is why we respond against those accountable for illegal dumping."
A newly released report found attempts to address significant waste crime have been "critically overlooked" notwithstanding the issue becoming more extensive and more complex.
The Environment and Climate Change Committee recommended an independent "comprehensive" investigation into how "endemic" illegal dumping is tackled.
