Illegal dumpers bury countryside in mountain of waste

Local resident

Waste criminals have dumped a mountain of waste in a open space in Oxfordshire.

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

The massive heap has appeared in a field adjacent to the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.

A local MP raised the situation in parliament, stating it was "threatening an environmental disaster".

An environmental charity stated the illegal waste site was established around a month ago by an organised crime group.

"This represents an environmental crisis taking place in plain sight.

"Every day that goes by elevates the threat of poisonous seepage entering the waterways, contaminating animals and endangering the health of the entire catchment.

"Regulatory bodies must respond now, not in the distant future, which is their typical response period."

A restriction order had been implemented by the regulatory body.

It is difficult to recognize any individual pieces of waste as it looks to have been shredded with dirt blended.

Some of the waste from the peak of the mound has toppled and is now merely five metres from the river.

The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which means it travels through Oxford before meeting the Thames.

Official recording

The representative petitioned the authorities for assistance to eliminate the unauthorized dump before it triggered a blaze or was washed away into the water network.

Addressing elected representatives on Thursday, he stated: "Criminals have deposited a massive amount of unauthorized plastic waste... weighing many tons, in my constituency on a floodplain next to the River Cherwell.

"Stream volumes are increasing and temperature readings show that the waste is also increasing in temperature, increasing the threat of blaze.

"Regulatory body stated it has restricted resources for enforcement, that the projected cost of removal is larger than the entire twelve-month allocation of the regional government."

Environment minister stated the authorities had taken over a failing waste industry that had resulted in an "growing issue of illegal dumping".

She informed representatives the organization had served a prohibition notice to prevent more admission to the location.

In a announcement, the agency said it was investigating the matter and appealed for details.

It commented: "We share the community's anger about situations like this, which is why we respond against those accountable for environmental offenses."

A newly released study determined efforts to tackle major illegal dumping have been "extremely neglected" notwithstanding the issue growing more extensive and more complex.

A parliamentary committee recommended an independent "thorough" inquiry into how "widespread" illegal dumping is dealt with.