Illegal dumpers cover open land in enormous heap of waste

Waste pile in Oxfordshire Witness
Illegal dumping site

The area has been called an "ecological disaster".
Journalist inspected the scene and reported the heap appeared to be "20ft high at least".

Illegal dumpers have deposited a huge quantity of rubbish in a open space in Oxfordshire.

The "environmental crisis occurring in full view" is up to 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) in height.

The enormous heap has materialized in a open area adjacent to the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.

Parliament representative raised the situation in parliament, stating it was "posing risk of an environmental disaster".

Conservation group stated the unlawful waste site was formed about a few weeks back by an criminal network.

"This constitutes an environmental crisis unfolding in plain sight.

"Every day that passes raises the danger of hazardous run-off entering the aquatic network, poisoning fauna and putting at risk the wellbeing of the complete watershed.

"Regulatory bodies must act now, not in extended periods, which is their standard action timeframe."

A restriction order had been put in place by the Environment Agency.

It is difficult to recognize any specific items of rubbish as it looks to have been shredded with soil blended.

Part of the rubbish from the top of the heap has toppled and is now only five meters from the waterway.

The River Cherwell is a feeder stream of the River Thames, which signifies it runs through Oxford before connecting with the Thames.

Official proceedings about waste crisis Parliament TV
The MP mentioned the expense of clearing the garbage would be high

The representative asked the government for assistance to clear the illegal tip before it caused a inferno or was swept into the aquatic system.

Addressing MPs on Thursday, he declared: "Lawbreakers have deposited a mountain of illegal synthetic materials... amounting to substantial weight, in my constituency on a floodplain next to the River Cherwell.

"River levels are growing and temperature readings indicate that the garbage is also warming, elevating the threat of fire.

"Regulatory body stated it has limited capabilities for regulation, that the anticipated expense of removal is higher than the whole yearly funding of the regional government."

Cabinet member commented the government had inherited a struggling waste industry that had created an "epidemic of unlawful fly-tipping".

She told MPs the authority had issued a prohibition notice to prevent additional entry to the site.

In a announcement, the agency said it was looking into the matter and asked for evidence.

It stated: "We share the citizens' concern about occurrences like this, which is why we take action against those accountable for waste crime."

A recently published report determined attempts to combat major waste crime have been "critically neglected" notwithstanding the situation becoming more extensive and more complex.

The Environment and Climate Change Committee suggested an separate "comprehensive" investigation into how "endemic" environmental offenses is dealt with.

Patricia Harrison
Patricia Harrison

Financial analyst with over a decade of experience in international markets and investment advisory.