Illegal dumpers bury field in enormous heap of waste
Local resident
Illegal dumpers have deposited a mountain of waste in a open space in Oxfordshire.
The "environmental crisis unfolding in full view" is up to 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) high.
The massive pile has materialized in a open area alongside the River Cherwell close to Kidlington.
A local MP brought up the issue in parliament, declaring it was "threatening an environmental disaster".
Protection organization said the illegal rubbish dump was formed approximately a few weeks back by an criminal network.
"This constitutes an environmental catastrophe taking place in full view.
"Daily that passes increases the danger of toxic seepage reaching the aquatic network, polluting animals and endangering the wellbeing of the entire river basin.
"Environmental authorities must respond now, not in the distant future, which is their typical action timeframe."
Legal prohibition had been put in place by the Environment Agency.
It is difficult to distinguish any individual bits of rubbish as it looks to have been broken up with earth blended.
Part of the rubbish from the peak of the heap has collapsed and is now only five feet from the river.
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the River Thames, which signifies it flows through Oxford before meeting the Thames.
Parliament TV
The official petitioned the government for help to clear the unauthorized dump before it resulted in a blaze or was swept into the river system.
Informing elected representatives on this week, he declared: "Illegal operators have deposited a massive amount of illegal polymer rubbish... totaling hundreds of tonnes, in my constituency on a riverside area adjacent to the River Cherwell.
"Water heights are rising and temperature readings demonstrate that the waste is also heating up, elevating the risk of combustion.
"Regulatory body stated it has limited funding for enforcement, that the estimated price of disposal is greater than the whole annual allocation of the municipal authority."
Cabinet member said the government had assumed responsibility for a struggling waste industry that had caused an "epidemic of illegal dumping".
She told representatives the organization had served a prohibition notice to prevent further admission to the area.
In a statement, the authority said it was investigating the incident and appealed for evidence.
It stated: "We understand the community's anger about situations like this, which is why we respond against those culpable for waste crime."
A newly released investigation determined efforts to tackle significant illegal dumping have been "critically under-prioritised" despite the situation developing into larger and more sophisticated.
Government advisors proposed an separate "thorough" inquiry into how "widespread" environmental offenses is dealt with.
