An enormous illegal waste dump measuring 12 metres high has prompted urgent calls for government intervention amid fears it could cause an ecological disaster in southern England.
Massive Waste Heap Poses River Pollution Threat
Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller, representing Bicester and Woodstock, has demanded immediate action to clear what he describes as an "obscene" 150-metre long and 10-metre wide fly-tip in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. The MP warned that heavy rainfall from Storm Claudia is now washing parts of the waste toward the River Cherwell, which flows through Oxford and eventually into the Thames.
Mr Miller told Parliament that criminal gangs behind the illegal dumping could earn "millions of pounds without a thought for the health of people or animals" or the damage to soil, water and air quality in the area.
Political Pressure Mounts for Environment Agency Action
During an urgent question in the Commons, the MP pressed ministers to issue a directive to the Environment Agency similar to one issued for Hoades Wood in Kent during May 2024. That order compelled the agency to clear another significant illegal waste site.
Mr Miller expressed deep concern that the Environment Agency "is not equipped to deal with this unfolding environmental disaster." He revealed that Cherwell District Council's estimated clean-up costs would exceed its entire annual budget, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Criminal Investigation Underway as Concerns Grow
Environment minister Emma Hardy acknowledged the "appalling case of illegal dumping" but said she was limited in what she could disclose due to an ongoing criminal investigation. She assured MPs that the Environment Agency is working closely with local partners to address the situation.
The agency has already taken several measures including:
- Issuing a cease and desist order in July
- Securing a court order to close the site and prevent further dumping
- Launching a major investigation with police partners
- Monitoring the River Cherwell for pollution
Labour MP Chris Hinchliffe described organised criminal gangs behind such dumping as "enemies of the countryside" who represent a clear and present danger to the nation.
Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokeswoman Sarah Dyke emphasised that waste crime remains significantly under-reported, with widespread criminal activity facing little chance of prosecution.
An Environment Agency spokesperson called the case "sickening" and shared the public's disgust, confirming that specialist officers remain on site to protect people and the environment while their investigation continues.
