Illegal dumpers submerge field in massive pile of garbage
Billy Burnell
Fly-tippers have deposited a huge quantity of rubbish in a rural area in Oxfordshire.
The "environmental catastrophe developing in full view" is up to 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) in height.
The enormous mound has appeared in a plot of land alongside the River Cherwell near Kidlington.
A local MP raised the situation in parliament, saying it was "risking an environmental disaster".
Conservation group said the unlawful rubbish dump was formed about a recently by an organised crime group.
"This represents an environmental crisis taking place in full view.
"Each day that passes increases the risk of hazardous seepage getting into the waterways, polluting wildlife and putting at risk the health of the entire catchment.
"Environmental authorities must take action immediately, not in months or years, which is their standard reaction time."
A restriction order had been put in place by the Environment Agency.
It is challenging to recognize any particular bits of garbage as it appears to have been pulverized with dirt mixed in.
A portion of the garbage from the uppermost part of the mound has collapsed and is now just five meters from the waterway.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which indicates it travels through Oxford before meeting the Thames.
Official recording
The MP requested the administration for support to eliminate the illegal site before it triggered a fire or was carried into the water network.
Informing elected representatives on this week, he said: "Illegal operators have dumped a huge quantity of illegal synthetic materials... amounting to hundreds of tonnes, in my constituency on a floodplain alongside the River Cherwell.
"Water heights are growing and heatmaps indicate that the rubbish is also warming, increasing the threat of fire.
"The Environment Agency reported it has inadequate capabilities for compliance, that the estimated cost of disposal is larger than the whole annual funding of the regional government."
Cabinet member stated the government had inherited a underperforming disposal business that had caused an "growing issue of unlawful waste disposal".
She advised parliament members the organization had served a access ban to stop additional access to the site.
In a declaration, the agency said it was investigating the matter and appealed for information.
It commented: "We understand the community's concern about situations like this, which is why we take action against those accountable for waste crime."
A recently published investigation determined initiatives to tackle significant illegal dumping have been "severely under-prioritised" notwithstanding the issue becoming more extensive and more advanced.
A parliamentary committee proposed an separate "comprehensive" examination into how "widespread" environmental offenses is tackled.