Fly-tippers submerge field in massive pile of garbage

Local resident

Fly-tippers have discarded a massive amount of waste in a field in Oxfordshire.

The "ecological disaster unfolding in public view" is approximately 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) high.

The massive heap has been discovered in a field adjacent to the River Cherwell near Kidlington.

A local MP brought up the situation in parliament, stating it was "risking an ecological catastrophe".

Conservation group reported the illegal rubbish dump was formed about a recently by an criminal network.

"This represents an environmental catastrophe developing in plain sight.

"Each day that elapses increases the risk of toxic seepage getting into the waterways, poisoning fauna and putting at risk the wellbeing of the entire river basin.

"Regulatory bodies must take action now, not in extended periods, which is their standard action timeframe."

A restriction order had been put in place by the environmental authorities.

It is hard to distinguish any individual items of rubbish as it looks to have been broken up with earth blended.

Some of the rubbish from the uppermost part of the heap has fallen and is now only five feet from the river.

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

Official recording

The MP asked the administration for help to remove the unauthorized dump before it resulted in a inferno or was carried into the water network.

Speaking to elected representatives on Thursday, he stated: "Criminals have deposited a huge quantity of unlawful polymer rubbish... totaling substantial weight, in my electoral area on a riverside area alongside the River Cherwell.

"Stream volumes are increasing and temperature readings indicate that the garbage is also increasing in temperature, increasing the threat of combustion.

"Regulatory body said it has limited resources for enforcement, that the estimated cost of removal is higher than the whole yearly allocation of the local district council."

Cabinet member commented the administration had inherited a failing waste industry that had caused an "growing issue of unlawful fly-tipping".

She informed parliament members the organization had served a access ban to stop further entry to the site.

In a announcement, the agency said it was looking into the incident and asked for evidence.

It said: "We share the public's concern about occurrences like this, which is why we intervene against those accountable for illegal dumping."

A newly released study determined efforts to tackle major illegal dumping have been "extremely overlooked" despite the situation growing larger and more sophisticated.

A parliamentary committee proposed an autonomous "root and branch" inquiry into how "widespread" environmental offenses is tackled.