🔗 Share this article

---

Illegal dumpers have discarded a huge quantity of rubbish in a rural area in Oxfordshire.

The "environmental catastrophe unfolding in full view" is up to 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) in height.

The enormous pile has appeared in a field adjacent to the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.

A local MP brought up the problem in parliament, saying it was "posing risk of an environmental emergency".

An environmental charity said the unlawful garbage pile was established approximately a few weeks back by an organised crime group.

"This is an environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight.

"Every day that elapses raises the danger of hazardous drainage entering the river system, contaminating animals and putting at risk the health of the entire catchment.

"Environmental authorities must take action immediately, not in extended periods, which is their typical response period."

Access ban had been established by the environmental authorities.

It is hard to identify any specific items of garbage as it seems to have been shredded with dirt blended.

Part of the waste from the peak of the heap has toppled and is now merely five feet from the river.

The River Cherwell is a feeder stream of the River Thames, which indicates it travels through Oxford before meeting the Thames.

The MP requested the authorities for support to eliminate the unauthorized dump before it resulted in a inferno or was carried into the water network.

Informing elected representatives on recently, he stated: "Illegal operators have deposited a mountain of illegal synthetic materials... weighing substantial weight, in my constituency on a floodplain alongside the River Cherwell.

"Water heights are rising and temperature readings indicate that the rubbish is also increasing in temperature, raising the risk of combustion.

"Environmental authorities reported it has restricted capabilities for regulation, that the projected cost of clearance is greater than the complete yearly funding of the municipal authority."

Government official stated the administration had assumed responsibility for a underperforming disposal business that had created an "growing issue of unlawful fly-tipping".

She advised representatives the organization had implemented a prohibition notice to stop further admission to the site.

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

It said: "We share the community's anger about situations like this, which is why we intervene against those responsible for illegal dumping."

A newly released report discovered efforts to tackle serious waste crime have been "critically under-prioritised" even though the problem becoming larger and more sophisticated.

The Environment and Climate Change Committee suggested an separate "thorough" examination into how "widespread" waste crime is addressed.