The Environment Agency (EA) has announced it will spend millions of pounds to clear a massive illegal waste dump in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, citing an exceptional fire risk. The site, located next to the River Cherwell, contains thousands of tonnes of rubbish and poses a significant danger.
The decision has sparked anger from Labour MP Josh Simons, whose constituency in Wigan, Greater Manchester, has endured a similar 25,000-tonne toxic waste dump near a primary school for nearly a year. The Wigan site caught fire during the summer heatwave, forcing the school to close and residents to stay indoors.
Simons criticised the EA's policy of refusing to clear illegal dumps, saying the decision to prioritise Oxfordshire over Wigan was unfair to working-class communities in the north. He vowed to fight for equal treatment for his constituents.
The EA stated that the Kidlington site's scale and fire risk made it exceptional, justifying the use of taxpayer funds. The cost, likely running into millions, will be covered by operational efficiencies, including landfill tax payments to the Treasury.
The announcement comes as ministers rejected recommendations from a House of Lords inquiry into waste crime, which highlighted organised criminal involvement and called for a comprehensive review. The EA said it remains focused on prosecuting offenders in both Kidlington and Wigan.
