Fly-tippers submerge field in mountain of garbage
Billy Burnell
Fly-tippers have discarded a massive amount of waste in a rural area in Oxfordshire.
The "environmental catastrophe developing in public view" is approximately 150m (490ft) long and 6m (20ft) high.
The massive mound has been discovered in a open area next to the River Cherwell in the vicinity of Kidlington.
Parliament representative raised the problem in parliament, saying it was "threatening an environmental disaster".
Conservation group said the unlawful rubbish dump was created about a month ago by an illegal operation.
"This constitutes an environmental crisis unfolding in full view.
"Every day that elapses raises the risk of poisonous run-off getting into the river system, contaminating wildlife and putting at risk the health of the complete catchment.
"The Environment Agency must respond now, not in the distant future, which is their standard reaction time."
Access ban had been implemented by the Environment Agency.
It is difficult to identify any specific bits of waste as it appears to have been pulverized with dirt mixed in.
Part of the waste from the peak of the heap has collapsed and is now just five feet from the river.
The River Cherwell is a branch of the River Thames, which means it runs through Oxford before joining the Thames.
Official recording
The representative petitioned the authorities for help to clear the unauthorized dump before it resulted in a blaze or was washed away into the water network.
Informing parliament members on Thursday, he stated: "Illegal operators have dumped a massive amount of illegal polymer rubbish... amounting to many tons, in my electoral area on a water-adjacent land adjacent to the River Cherwell.
"Stream volumes are increasing and heatmaps indicate that the waste is also warming, elevating the danger of fire.
"Regulatory body stated it has limited capabilities for regulation, that the estimated price of clearance is larger than the whole yearly allocation of the municipal authority."
Cabinet member stated the administration had taken over a failing waste industry that had created an "epidemic of unauthorized fly-tipping".
She informed parliament members the authority had served a prohibition notice to halt more entry to the site.
In a declaration, the authority stated it was looking into the matter and appealed for details.
It said: "We acknowledge the community's anger about incidents like this, which is why we take action against those accountable for environmental offenses."
A recent investigation determined efforts to combat serious environmental offenses have been "extremely neglected" despite the situation growing larger and more complex.
The Environment and Climate Change Committee suggested an independent "comprehensive" investigation into how "widespread" illegal dumping is dealt with.