Illegal dumpers bury countryside in mountain of rubbish

Illegal dump in Oxfordshire Local resident
Illegal dumping site

This location has been described as an "ecological disaster".
Journalist surveyed the scene and stated the pile appeared to be "twenty feet in height at least".

Illegal dumpers have deposited a mountain of waste in a field in Oxfordshire.

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

The huge mound has been discovered in a plot of land adjacent to the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.

A local MP highlighted the problem in parliament, declaring it was "posing risk of an environmental disaster".

Protection organization reported the illegal waste site was created about a month ago by an organised crime group.

"This is an ecological disaster taking place in full view.

"Every day that goes by elevates the threat of toxic seepage reaching the aquatic network, poisoning animals and putting at risk the health of the complete catchment.

"Environmental authorities must act now, not in the distant future, which is their usual response period."

A restriction order had been put in place by the regulatory body.

It is hard to distinguish any particular pieces of waste as it looks to have been pulverized with soil combined.

Some of the garbage from the top of the mound has collapsed and is now merely five metres from the stream.

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

Parliament discussion about waste crisis Official recording
Parliament representative said the cost of clearing the garbage would be substantial

The representative asked the government for assistance to remove the illegal site before it caused a blaze or was washed away into the water network.

Addressing elected representatives on Thursday, he declared: "Lawbreakers have deposited a huge quantity of unlawful synthetic materials... weighing many tons, in my electoral area on a water-adjacent land next to the River Cherwell.

"River levels are increasing and temperature readings indicate that the waste is also heating up, raising the risk of fire.

"The Environment Agency reported it has inadequate funding for compliance, that the projected price of removal is larger than the whole annual funding of the local district council."

Cabinet member stated the authorities had taken over a struggling disposal business that had resulted in an "growing issue of illegal waste disposal".

She told representatives the authority had issued a restriction order to prevent more access to the area.

In a statement, the organization said it was investigating the incident and requested for evidence.

It said: "We acknowledge the public's anger about situations like this, which is why we intervene against those responsible for environmental offenses."

A recently published report discovered attempts to tackle significant waste crime have been "severely under-prioritised" even though the problem growing bigger and more advanced.

Government advisors proposed an separate "comprehensive" investigation into how "prevalent" illegal dumping is tackled.

Adam White
Adam White

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