Fly-tippers submerge open land in mountain of waste
Local resident
Illegal dumpers have discarded a massive amount of rubbish in a rural area in Oxfordshire.
The "environmental catastrophe unfolding in public view" is up to 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) in height.
The huge pile has been discovered in a field adjacent to the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.
A local MP brought up the situation in parliament, saying it was "posing risk of an ecological catastrophe".
An environmental charity reported the illegal rubbish dump was formed approximately a month ago by an criminal network.
"This is an environmental catastrophe unfolding in public view.
"Daily that elapses raises the danger of poisonous run-off getting into the aquatic network, polluting wildlife and putting at risk the wellbeing of the complete catchment.
"Environmental authorities must act promptly, not in months or years, which is their typical action timeframe."
A restriction order had been implemented by the regulatory body.
It is difficult to identify any particular items of waste as it seems to have been shredded with soil blended.
Part of the waste from the uppermost part of the heap has toppled and is now just five meters from the river.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which signifies it runs through Oxford before joining the Thames.
Official recording
The official petitioned the authorities for help to clear the illegal tip before it caused a inferno or was swept into the aquatic system.
Speaking to elected representatives on Thursday, he declared: "Illegal operators have dumped a massive amount of unlawful synthetic materials... amounting to many tons, in my district on a water-adjacent land next to the River Cherwell.
"Stream volumes are rising and temperature readings demonstrate that the waste is also warming, raising the threat of fire.
"The Environment Agency said it has limited funding for compliance, that the estimated price of disposal is greater than the complete annual budget of the regional government."
Government official said the authorities had inherited a failing waste industry that had caused an "epidemic of unauthorized waste disposal".
She advised MPs the authority had served a access ban to prevent additional entry to the site.
In a announcement, the organization stated it was investigating the matter and asked for information.
It said: "We understand the citizens' frustration about occurrences like this, which is why we take action against those responsible for illegal dumping."
A recent report determined attempts to address serious illegal dumping have been "critically neglected" even though the problem becoming bigger and more sophisticated.
The Environment and Climate Change Committee recommended an independent "thorough" examination into how "endemic" illegal dumping is tackled.