A colossal illegal fly-tip described as "utterly appalling" by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is blighting the Oxfordshire countryside and threatening a major pollution incident.
An 'Obscene' Mountain of Waste
Hundreds of tonnes of shredded domestic and commercial waste, including plastic and paper, have been dumped in a field next to the A34 near Kidlington. According to local Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller, the illegal dump has reached staggering proportions: approximately 150 metres long, 10 metres wide, and 12 metres high.
The site lies alarmingly close to the River Cherwell, raising significant fears of contamination, particularly after heavy rain from Storm Claudia. While the Environment Agency has stated the waste is not classified as hazardous, officials have acknowledged that household rubbish can contain problematic items like batteries.
Swift Action and Criminal Investigation
The Environment Agency (EA) has asserted that it acted "quickly and decisively" upon discovering the scale of the tipping. The regulator first visited the site in early July after it was reported, issuing a cease and desist letter. When dumping resumed in October, the EA secured a court order to close the site down.
Anna Burns, the EA's director for the Thames area, confirmed the agency is now "laser-focused" on a criminal investigation, actively following a number of leads. "Our priority is to manage risk and then pursue those responsible to make them pay," she stated.
A multi-agency meeting has been convened with Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley Police, and National Highways to coordinate the response. Mitigation efforts are underway, including:
- Placing a boom in the River Cherwell to contain potential pollution.
- Monitoring water run-off from the site and the river.
- Addressing safety risks concerning fire and flooding.
Political Pressure and Clean-Up Costs
The issue was raised at Prime Minister's Questions, where Sir Keir Starmer highlighted the government's measures against waste crime, including a 50% boost to the EA's budget for this purpose and new powers for councils to crush fly-tippers' vehicles.
Local MP Calum Miller has warned that the estimated clean-up cost would exceed the entire annual budget for Cherwell District Council. He is urging the government to issue a directive forcing the Environment Agency to clear the site, similar to action taken at Hoades Wood in Kent in 2024.
Ms Burns reiterated that while the EA does not have a duty to clear the waste itself, it does have powers to compel action. She also urged the public to remain vigilant, noting that only 20% of waste crime gets reported.
