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Britain's biggest ever fly tip revealed with 500ft long pile of waste dumped in one go

Fly-tippers have dumped an "illegal" mountain of waste in a field in Oxfordshire, sparking fears of an "environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight" at site of the the 500ft long tip

[Waste is visible as far as the eye can see]

Waste is visible as far as the eye can see(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

A huge mountain of rubbish has been dumped at the side of a river measuring 500ft long and 20ft high. Shocking pictures show the scale of the flu-tip, thought to be one of the biggest ever in Britain.

The massive heap of hazardous rubbish has sparked calls from activists to condemn the 'environmental catastrophe' after it was illegally dumped in one go a field next to the A34 and River Cherwell near Kidlington in Oxfordshire.

The local MP is now calling on the government to offer support amid fears the mammoth dump would cost millions of pounds to remove.

[The dump has been branded an 'environmental catastrophe' ]

The dump has been branded an 'environmental catastrophe' (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

It was discovered last month by horrified anglers and contains plastic, foam and wood. Some of the rubbish has fallen down because it was so tall, which has left the waste just five metres from the river, which flows through Oxford before joining the Thames.

It is hard to distinguish any particular bits of waste as it appears to have been shredded with earth mixed in with it all. Calum Miller, Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, raised the issue in Parliament.

Addressing MPs on Thursday, he said: "Criminals have dumped a mountain of illegal plastic waste... weighing hundreds of tonnes, in my constituency on a floodplain adjacent to the River Cherwell.

[Shocking pictures show the extent of the fly-tip]

Shocking pictures show the extent of the fly-tip(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

"River levels are rising and heatmaps show that the waste is also heating up, raising the risk of fire. The Environment Agency said it has limited resources for enforcement, that the estimated cost of removal is greater than the entire annual budget of the local district council."

He said "criminal gangs are dumping waste on this scale" across the country and it will take government intervention before pollutants "leech out" into local rivers.

Responding, environment minister Mary Creagh said Labour inherited a 'failing' waste system that has caused an 'epidemic of illegal fly-tipping'.

[Locals fear the dump may cause toxic waste to enter the river]

Locals fear the dump may cause toxic waste to enter the river(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

Charity Friends of the Thames told the BBC: "This is an environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight. Every day that passes increases the risk of toxic run-off entering the river system, poisoning wildlife and threatening the health of the entire catchment."

The Environment Agency has confirmed a probe has been launched and has encouraged anyone with any information to get in touch as soon as possible.

A spokesperson said: "Specialist officers are investigating waste dumped near the A34 at Kidlington. Their role will be to find who left the waste there and take appropriate action.

[Local anger is building over the dump in Oxfordshire]

Local anger is building over the dump in Oxfordshire(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

"We share the publics anger about incidents like this, which is why we take action against those responsible for waste crime."

Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence for which people can be prosecuted. Courts have various powers available to them to tackle fly-tipping, including imprisonment, unlimited fines and an order to deprive rights to a vehicle used to commit the offence.

It is defined as the "illegal deposit of any waste on to land that does not have a licence to accept it."

[The Environment Agency is investigating the site]

The Environment Agency is investigating the site(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

Uncontrolled illegal waste disposal can be hazardous to the public, especially if it contains toxic material or asbestos. There could be a risk of damage to watercourses and soil quality from the dumped waste.

The Environment Agency spokesperson said: Specialist officers are investigating waste dumped near the A34 at Kidlington. Their role will be to find who left the waste there and take appropriate action.

We share the publics anger about incidents like this, which is why we take action against those responsible for waste crime. Anyone with information about this incident, or if they suspect waste crime elsewhere, can call the Environment Agencys 24-hour incident hotline: 0800 807060.

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