Fly-tippers submerge countryside in mountain of rubbish
Local resident
Waste criminals have discarded a mountain of garbage in a open space in Oxfordshire.
The "environmental crisis occurring in full view" is around 150m (490ft) long and 6m (20ft) high.
The enormous pile has been discovered in a field next to the River Cherwell in the vicinity of Kidlington.
A local MP raised the problem in parliament, declaring it was "risking an ecological catastrophe".
An environmental charity said the unlawful waste site was established about a month ago by an criminal network.
"This is an ecological disaster developing in public view.
"Every day that passes elevates the threat of poisonous drainage entering the waterways, polluting fauna and threatening the condition of the entire river basin.
"The Environment Agency must act immediately, not in the distant future, which is their typical response period."
Legal prohibition had been put in place by the environmental authorities.
It is challenging to recognize any specific items of garbage as it appears to have been pulverized with earth mixed in.
Part of the rubbish from the uppermost part of the mound has toppled and is now just five metres from the waterway.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which means it runs through Oxford before meeting the Thames.
Parliament TV
The official petitioned the authorities for support to eliminate the illegal tip before it caused a inferno or was swept into the water network.
Informing elected representatives on this week, he declared: "Illegal operators have dumped a huge quantity of unauthorized synthetic materials... weighing many tons, in my district on a floodplain alongside the River Cherwell.
"River levels are increasing and heatmaps indicate that the garbage is also increasing in temperature, elevating the danger of blaze.
"Regulatory body said it has restricted capabilities for regulation, that the anticipated price of clearance is larger than the entire yearly budget of the municipal authority."
Environment minister said the administration had inherited a struggling waste industry that had caused an "epidemic of unauthorized fly-tipping".
She advised parliament members the organization had implemented a restriction order to prevent further admission to the location.
In a declaration, the agency confirmed it was investigating the situation and requested for details.
It stated: "We understand the public's frustration about incidents like this, which is why we respond against those culpable for waste crime."
A recent investigation discovered initiatives to address significant illegal dumping have been "critically overlooked" even though the situation developing into more extensive and more sophisticated.
Government advisors suggested an independent "root and branch" examination into how "widespread" environmental offenses is addressed.