Illegal dumpers cover field in mountain of waste
Billy Burnell
Fly-tippers have deposited a massive amount of rubbish in a open space in Oxfordshire.
The "ecological disaster occurring in public view" is around 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) high.
The huge pile has been discovered in a plot of land alongside the River Cherwell near Kidlington.
Elected official brought up the situation in parliament, saying it was "posing risk of an environmental emergency".
Conservation group reported the unauthorized rubbish dump was formed around a month ago by an illegal operation.
"This is an environmental crisis developing in full view.
"Every day that passes elevates the danger of poisonous seepage entering the aquatic network, contaminating fauna and threatening the wellbeing of the whole river basin.
"The Environment Agency must take action promptly, not in months or years, which is their usual reaction time."
Legal prohibition had been implemented by the environmental authorities.
It is difficult to distinguish any specific bits of rubbish as it seems to have been pulverized with earth combined.
Some of the waste from the peak of the pile has toppled and is now only five metres from the waterway.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which indicates it flows through Oxford before joining the Thames.
Official recording
The representative asked the authorities for support to clear the illegal site before it caused a inferno or was swept into the river system.
Informing elected representatives on this week, he stated: "Lawbreakers have discarded a huge quantity of unlawful plastic waste... weighing hundreds of tonnes, in my electoral area on a floodplain next to the River Cherwell.
"Stream volumes are rising and thermal imaging indicate that the garbage is also heating up, increasing the danger of combustion.
"Environmental authorities stated it has restricted funding for regulation, that the estimated cost of clearance is greater than the complete yearly budget of the local district council."
Environment minister commented the authorities had taken over a struggling recycling sector that had created an "growing issue of illegal waste disposal".
She told parliament members the organization had served a prohibition notice to halt further access to the site.
In a declaration, the agency confirmed it was investigating the matter and requested for evidence.
It said: "We understand the public's anger about situations like this, which is why we intervene against those responsible for environmental offenses."
A recent report found attempts to tackle significant waste crime have been "critically under-prioritised" even though the issue growing bigger and more complex.
Government advisors proposed an autonomous "comprehensive" inquiry into how "endemic" illegal dumping is addressed.