🔗 Share this article Fly-tippers submerge countryside in massive pile of waste Local resident This location has been called an "environmental crisis". Journalist surveyed the scene and said the heap appeared to be "20ft high at least". Illegal dumpers have deposited a huge quantity of garbage in a field in Oxfordshire. The "ecological disaster occurring in public view" is up to 150m (490ft) extending and 6m (20ft) in height. The massive heap has been discovered in a field alongside the River Cherwell close to Kidlington. A local MP brought up the problem in parliament, stating it was "threatening an environmental disaster". Protection organization said the illegal waste site was created approximately a month ago by an criminal network. "This is an environmental catastrophe taking place in public view. "Daily that passes increases the threat of toxic seepage reaching the waterways, contaminating animals and endangering the wellbeing of the entire river basin. "Environmental authorities must take action now, not in the distant future, which is their typical reaction time." Access ban had been put in place by the Environment Agency. It is hard to recognize any particular items of rubbish as it appears to have been shredded with earth blended. A portion of the waste from the uppermost part of the pile has toppled and is now just five metres from the stream. The River Cherwell is a branch of the River Thames, which signifies it travels through Oxford before meeting the Thames. Official recording Parliament representative mentioned the price of clearing the waste would be substantial The MP petitioned the government for assistance to clear the illegal tip before it triggered a inferno or was washed away into the water network. Informing parliament members on recently, he stated: "Criminals have dumped a mountain of illegal polymer rubbish... amounting to substantial weight, in my constituency on a floodplain adjacent to the River Cherwell. "Stream volumes are increasing and thermal imaging demonstrate that the garbage is also heating up, elevating the danger of combustion. "Regulatory body stated it has inadequate capabilities for compliance, that the anticipated cost of removal is greater than the whole yearly funding of the local district council." Environment minister commented the authorities had assumed responsibility for a struggling recycling sector that had caused an "widespread problem of illegal fly-tipping". She advised parliament members the authority had served a restriction order to prevent more access to the location. In a announcement, the authority stated it was investigating the incident and asked for information. It said: "We share the citizens' frustration about incidents like this, which is why we intervene against those culpable for waste crime." A newly released investigation found attempts to address serious illegal dumping have been "severely neglected" notwithstanding the situation growing more extensive and more sophisticated. The Environment and Climate Change Committee suggested an autonomous "root and branch" investigation into how "prevalent" environmental offenses is addressed.