Fly-tippers submerge field in enormous heap of rubbish
Witness
Fly-tippers have discarded a massive amount of rubbish in a open space in Oxfordshire.
The "ecological disaster developing in plain sight" is up to 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) high.
The massive mound has materialized in a plot of land next to the River Cherwell near Kidlington.
Parliament representative brought up the issue in parliament, saying it was "posing risk of an environmental disaster".
An environmental charity said the unlawful rubbish dump was formed approximately a recently by an organised crime group.
"This constitutes an environmental catastrophe developing in plain sight.
"Every day that goes by elevates the threat of poisonous drainage getting into the waterways, contaminating fauna and putting at risk the wellbeing of the entire catchment.
"Environmental authorities must act now, not in months or years, which is their typical action timeframe."
Access ban had been established by the Environment Agency.
It is difficult to distinguish any individual pieces of rubbish as it looks to have been pulverized with earth mixed in.
Some of the rubbish from the uppermost part of the heap has collapsed and is now only five metres from the waterway.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which indicates it runs through Oxford before joining the Thames.
Parliament TV
The official petitioned the administration for help to clear the illegal tip before it triggered a fire or was swept into the water network.
Informing parliament members on Thursday, he declared: "Criminals have deposited a huge quantity of unauthorized plastic waste... weighing many tons, in my electoral area on a riverside area next to the River Cherwell.
"Stream volumes are increasing and temperature readings demonstrate that the waste is also heating up, raising the risk of fire.
"Environmental authorities stated it has inadequate funding for enforcement, that the anticipated expense of clearance is higher than the whole twelve-month budget of the local district council."
Government official said the administration had inherited a underperforming disposal business that had resulted in an "growing issue of illegal waste disposal".
She told MPs the authority had served a access ban to halt further access to the site.
In a announcement, the authority confirmed it was investigating the situation and appealed for details.
It commented: "We acknowledge the community's frustration about incidents like this, which is why we respond against those responsible for illegal dumping."
A recent report discovered efforts to combat significant illegal dumping have been "extremely overlooked" despite the situation becoming larger and more complex.
A parliamentary committee recommended an independent "comprehensive" inquiry into how "widespread" illegal dumping is addressed.
