Fly-tippers cover field in mountain of waste
Billy Burnell
Illegal dumpers have deposited a massive amount of garbage in a rural area in Oxfordshire.
The "environmental catastrophe unfolding in public view" is around 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) high.
The huge pile has materialized in a field next to the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.
Parliament representative brought up the problem in parliament, saying it was "posing risk of an environmental disaster".
An environmental charity reported the illegal garbage pile was established around a few weeks back by an criminal network.
"This constitutes an environmental catastrophe taking place in full view.
"Every day that goes by increases the threat of poisonous seepage entering the river system, contaminating wildlife and endangering the health of the complete catchment.
"Regulatory bodies must act now, not in months or years, which is their standard action timeframe."
Legal prohibition had been put in place by the regulatory body.
It is difficult to recognize any particular items of rubbish as it seems to have been shredded with soil blended.
Part of the rubbish from the uppermost part of the pile has fallen and is now only five metres from the river.
The River Cherwell is a branch of the River Thames, which signifies it travels through Oxford before joining the Thames.
Government broadcast
The MP petitioned the administration for support to remove the illegal tip before it caused a inferno or was carried into the water network.
Informing parliament members on Thursday, he stated: "Criminals have discarded a massive amount of illegal synthetic materials... amounting to hundreds of tonnes, in my electoral area on a riverside area adjacent to the River Cherwell.
"Water heights are increasing and temperature readings show that the rubbish is also warming, raising the danger of fire.
"The Environment Agency reported it has inadequate capabilities for compliance, that the projected price of clearance is greater than the whole yearly funding of the municipal authority."
Environment minister stated the government had taken over a struggling waste industry that had caused an "growing issue of illegal dumping".
She informed MPs the authority had served a access ban to stop additional admission to the area.
In a statement, the organization said it was examining the incident and requested for information.
It stated: "We understand the public's concern about incidents like this, which is why we take action against those responsible for illegal dumping."
A recent report found initiatives to address significant illegal dumping have been "severely overlooked" even though the situation growing more extensive and more complex.
A parliamentary committee recommended an independent "comprehensive" investigation into how "endemic" waste crime is dealt with.