Fly-tippers cover countryside in enormous heap of rubbish
Billy Burnell
Illegal dumpers have dumped a mountain of garbage in a rural area in Oxfordshire.
The "ecological disaster unfolding in full view" is around 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) tall.
The huge mound has materialized in a field next to the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.
Parliament representative brought up the problem in parliament, saying it was "threatening an environmental disaster".
An environmental charity stated the unauthorized waste site was established about a month ago by an organised crime group.
"This constitutes an environmental catastrophe taking place in plain sight.
"Every day that passes raises the danger of poisonous seepage getting into the waterways, contaminating wildlife and threatening the health of the whole catchment.
"The Environment Agency must respond promptly, not in the distant future, which is their standard action timeframe."
Legal prohibition had been established by the Environment Agency.
It is difficult to identify any individual pieces of garbage as it appears to have been broken up with soil mixed in.
Some of the rubbish from the peak of the heap has fallen and is now only five meters from the river.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which indicates it flows through Oxford before connecting with the Thames.
Official recording
The official requested the authorities for help to remove the illegal site before it caused a fire or was carried into the aquatic system.
Speaking to MPs on Thursday, he said: "Criminals have discarded a mountain of unauthorized synthetic materials... weighing substantial weight, in my electoral area on a riverside area next to the River Cherwell.
"River levels are growing and temperature readings indicate that the rubbish is also warming, increasing the risk of combustion.
"Environmental authorities reported it has limited funding for enforcement, that the anticipated expense of clearance is larger than the entire annual budget of the local district council."
Environment minister said the authorities had inherited a failing waste industry that had resulted in an "growing issue of unauthorized waste disposal".
She told MPs the authority had implemented a access ban to halt further access to the area.
In a declaration, the agency said it was investigating the matter and appealed for information.
It commented: "We share the citizens' frustration about incidents like this, which is why we take action against those culpable for waste crime."
A recent report found attempts to combat major illegal dumping have been "critically under-prioritised" even though the issue developing into larger and more complex.
The Environment and Climate Change Committee proposed an independent "thorough" inquiry into how "prevalent" waste crime is addressed.
