Illegal dumpers submerge countryside in massive pile of garbage
Witness
Illegal dumpers have dumped a massive amount of waste in a rural area in Oxfordshire.
The "ecological disaster occurring in full view" is around 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) in height.
The massive pile has appeared in a field alongside the River Cherwell near Kidlington.
A local MP highlighted the problem in parliament, saying it was "posing risk of an environmental disaster".
Conservation group reported the illegal waste site was created about a recently by an organised crime group.
"This is an ecological disaster developing in public view.
"Each day that elapses raises the risk of poisonous run-off getting into the aquatic network, polluting fauna and threatening the wellbeing of the entire watershed.
"The Environment Agency must take action now, not in the distant future, which is their usual response period."
Access ban had been put in place by the regulatory body.
It is difficult to distinguish any particular items of garbage as it appears to have been broken up with soil mixed in.
Some of the rubbish from the top of the pile has toppled and is now only five meters from the river.
The River Cherwell is a branch of the River Thames, which signifies it flows through Oxford before meeting the Thames.
Official recording
The representative asked the authorities for help to eliminate the unauthorized dump before it caused a blaze or was swept into the river system.
Addressing MPs on this week, he stated: "Illegal operators have discarded a mountain of unauthorized polymer rubbish... amounting to substantial weight, in my constituency on a riverside area adjacent to the River Cherwell.
"Water heights are growing and thermal imaging show that the garbage is also warming, elevating the risk of blaze.
"The Environment Agency stated it has restricted funding for compliance, that the projected price of clearance is larger than the entire annual budget of the local district council."
Environment minister commented the administration had assumed responsibility for a failing waste industry that had resulted in an "widespread problem of unlawful fly-tipping".
She told representatives the authority had served a access ban to prevent more access to the site.
In a statement, the organization confirmed it was looking into the situation and requested for information.
It stated: "We understand the public's anger about incidents like this, which is why we take action against those culpable for illegal dumping."
A recently published investigation discovered attempts to combat major environmental offenses have been "extremely under-prioritised" despite the problem developing into more extensive and more sophisticated.
Government advisors recommended an autonomous "comprehensive" inquiry into how "prevalent" waste crime is addressed.
