Fly-tippers submerge open land in massive pile of rubbish
Billy Burnell
Illegal dumpers have dumped a mountain of garbage in a rural area in Oxfordshire.
The "environmental crisis occurring in plain sight" is approximately 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) in height.
The massive pile has materialized in a open area adjacent to the River Cherwell near Kidlington.
Parliament representative raised the issue in parliament, stating it was "posing risk of an environmental emergency".
Conservation group stated the unauthorized rubbish dump was established about a few weeks back by an organised crime group.
"This represents an environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight.
"Each day that goes by elevates the danger of hazardous seepage reaching the river system, polluting fauna and endangering the wellbeing of the entire watershed.
"Regulatory bodies must act now, not in the distant future, which is their standard reaction time."
A restriction order had been implemented by the Environment Agency.
It is challenging to recognize any particular pieces of garbage as it appears to have been pulverized with soil blended.
Some of the garbage from the uppermost part of the pile has collapsed and is now just five meters from the river.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which means it travels through Oxford before connecting with the Thames.
Parliament TV
The MP requested the authorities for assistance to remove the illegal site before it resulted in a fire or was swept into the water network.
Addressing elected representatives on Thursday, he said: "Lawbreakers have deposited a mountain of unauthorized synthetic materials... totaling many tons, in my district on a floodplain adjacent to the River Cherwell.
"River levels are increasing and temperature readings show that the waste is also warming, increasing the danger of combustion.
"Environmental authorities stated it has inadequate resources for compliance, that the anticipated price of disposal is greater than the complete annual budget of the local district council."
Environment minister said the administration had taken over a struggling recycling sector that had resulted in an "epidemic of unlawful dumping".
She told parliament members the authority had issued a restriction order to prevent more access to the area.
In a declaration, the agency said it was looking into the matter and asked for information.
It stated: "We understand the public's anger about occurrences like this, which is why we intervene against those culpable for illegal dumping."
A recently published study found attempts to address significant waste crime have been "critically under-prioritised" notwithstanding the situation developing into larger and more complex.
Government advisors suggested an independent "comprehensive" examination into how "prevalent" illegal dumping is tackled.
