Illegal dumpers submerge countryside in mountain of waste
Witness
Fly-tippers have deposited a huge quantity of garbage in a open space in Oxfordshire.
The "environmental crisis occurring in public view" is around 150m (490ft) long and 6m (20ft) in height.
The massive pile has been discovered in a plot of land adjacent to the River Cherwell near Kidlington.
Elected official brought up the problem in parliament, declaring it was "risking an environmental disaster".
Conservation group said the unlawful waste site was created about a recently by an illegal operation.
"This is an environmental crisis taking place in plain sight.
"Each day that elapses raises the danger of toxic drainage reaching the river system, polluting animals and putting at risk the health of the whole catchment.
"Regulatory bodies must act immediately, not in the distant future, which is their usual response period."
Access ban had been implemented by the environmental authorities.
It is hard to identify any individual bits of garbage as it appears to have been pulverized with dirt combined.
A portion of the rubbish from the uppermost part of the mound has collapsed and is now just five metres from the stream.
The River Cherwell is a branch of the River Thames, which indicates it travels through Oxford before meeting the Thames.
Official recording
The MP petitioned the administration for support to remove the illegal site before it triggered a fire or was swept into the aquatic system.
Addressing MPs on recently, he stated: "Criminals have discarded a massive amount of illegal polymer rubbish... totaling substantial weight, in my electoral area on a floodplain alongside the River Cherwell.
"Stream volumes are growing and temperature readings show that the garbage is also increasing in temperature, increasing the threat of blaze.
"Regulatory body reported it has inadequate resources for compliance, that the estimated price of disposal is higher than the whole annual allocation of the municipal authority."
Government official stated the government had assumed responsibility for a underperforming recycling sector that had caused an "widespread problem of unlawful waste disposal".
She advised MPs the organization had implemented a access ban to prevent more admission to the site.
In a announcement, the agency said it was investigating the situation and requested for information.
It said: "We understand the community's frustration about situations like this, which is why we take action against those responsible for waste crime."
A recently published report determined attempts to address serious illegal dumping have been "severely overlooked" despite the issue growing more extensive and more advanced.
Government advisors suggested an independent "root and branch" investigation into how "prevalent" environmental offenses is tackled.
