Illegal dumpers bury field in enormous heap of rubbish
Witness
Waste criminals have dumped a massive amount of garbage in a field in Oxfordshire.
The "ecological disaster unfolding in public view" is around 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) tall.
The enormous pile has materialized in a open area adjacent to the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.
Elected official highlighted the problem in parliament, declaring it was "risking an environmental emergency".
Conservation group said the unlawful rubbish dump was created about a few weeks back by an organised crime group.
"This is an environmental catastrophe unfolding in full view.
"Daily that goes by elevates the threat of toxic seepage entering the river system, contaminating fauna and putting at risk the condition of the complete watershed.
"Environmental authorities must respond promptly, not in months or years, which is their typical action timeframe."
Access ban had been put in place by the environmental authorities.
It is difficult to recognize any particular bits of waste as it looks to have been broken up with earth mixed in.
Some of the garbage from the peak of the mound has toppled and is now just five meters from the river.
The River Cherwell is a feeder stream of the River Thames, which signifies it travels through Oxford before meeting the Thames.
Government broadcast
The official requested the government for help to eliminate the illegal site before it caused a fire or was carried into the water network.
Informing elected representatives on recently, he stated: "Lawbreakers have discarded a huge quantity of unlawful polymer rubbish... weighing hundreds of tonnes, in my district on a water-adjacent land next to the River Cherwell.
"Water heights are increasing and thermal imaging show that the rubbish is also warming, increasing the danger of fire.
"Environmental authorities stated it has inadequate resources for regulation, that the projected expense of disposal is greater than the whole annual budget of the municipal authority."
Environment minister said the government had assumed responsibility for a failing disposal business that had caused an "epidemic of unauthorized fly-tipping".
She told parliament members the authority had served a access ban to prevent additional admission to the site.
In a statement, the agency said it was investigating the situation and requested for information.
It said: "We share the public's frustration about incidents like this, which is why we take action against those accountable for illegal dumping."
A newly released investigation found attempts to combat serious illegal dumping have been "critically overlooked" despite the issue growing larger and more sophisticated.
A parliamentary committee suggested an separate "root and branch" investigation into how "endemic" environmental offenses is tackled.
