Fly-tippers submerge countryside in mountain of garbage
Local resident
Illegal dumpers have dumped a massive amount of rubbish in a field in Oxfordshire.
The "ecological disaster developing in full view" is approximately 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) tall.
The massive heap has appeared in a open area alongside the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.
Parliament representative brought up the problem in parliament, stating it was "threatening an environmental disaster".
An environmental charity said the unauthorized rubbish dump was formed around a month ago by an illegal operation.
"This constitutes an environmental catastrophe unfolding in full view.
"Daily that passes increases the risk of toxic run-off reaching the aquatic network, poisoning wildlife and threatening the wellbeing of the entire watershed.
"Regulatory bodies must act immediately, not in extended periods, which is their standard response period."
Access ban had been put in place by the Environment Agency.
It is difficult to identify any individual pieces of waste as it seems to have been broken up with dirt combined.
Some of the garbage from the uppermost part of the mound has fallen and is now merely five metres 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 representative asked the administration for assistance to remove the illegal site before it caused a fire or was swept into the river system.
Addressing MPs on this week, he stated: "Illegal operators have dumped a mountain of illegal plastic waste... weighing many tons, in my constituency on a floodplain adjacent to the River Cherwell.
"River levels are rising and temperature readings indicate that the garbage is also warming, elevating the risk of blaze.
"Environmental authorities reported it has limited capabilities for compliance, that the estimated expense of disposal is greater than the entire yearly funding of the regional government."
Government official stated the authorities had inherited a failing recycling sector that had caused an "growing issue of unlawful dumping".
She advised MPs the organization had implemented a prohibition notice to prevent additional entry to the site.
In a declaration, the organization stated it was looking into the matter and appealed for details.
It stated: "We share the public's concern about situations like this, which is why we respond against those accountable for environmental offenses."
A recent report discovered attempts to address significant environmental offenses have been "extremely overlooked" even though the situation growing bigger and more sophisticated.
The Environment and Climate Change Committee recommended an autonomous "thorough" inquiry into how "endemic" waste crime is dealt with.
