Waste mountain clearance to 'begin imminently'

Planning work to clear a mountain of fly-tipped waste in Oxfordshire is set to begin after fire risk had been detected at the site.

The Environment Agency (EA) said it had started preparations to clear the site near Kidlington, Oxfordshire, which would "begin imminently".

The EA said "an exceptional decision has been made" to clear the site entirely following advice from the Fire and Rescue Services.

MP for Bicester and Woodstock Calum Miller said he was "delighted" at the news.

The mound of rubbish is made of what appears to be processed domestic waste, shredded plastics, polystyrene, tyres and other household items, and stretches for about 150m (490ft) through a field alongside the A34.

Fly-tippers are thought to have been building up the waste since the summer.

The landowner of the neighbouring site said he saw truckloads being dumped there every night for months.

Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management Dan Cooke previously said more than £500,000 in profit could have been made from the illegally dumped waste.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said "all available powers" would be used to make those responsible pay for the clean-up.

The EA said it was "not legally responsible" nor funded for clearing illegal waste.

"While the organisation continues to support the principle that the criminals responsible should cover the costs of clearance, it retains the power to take action in wholly exceptional circumstances," it added.

It said the Fire and Rescue Services had provided "additional advice" of the possibility of fire on the site, causing widespread impacts on the community, such as raising air quality issues from the smoke.

The EA said the scale of that risk "sets this case apart from other illegal waste dumps in England and presents an overriding public imperative".

The agency's chief executive Philip Duffy said they were working with local partners through "the most effective way to manage this work".

He said the "brazen criminality at Kidlington has appalled all of us".

"We will update the public on progress with that as soon as we are able."

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said she "strongly welcome the decision".

"I will continue working with them to make sure that those responsible pay for their crimes."

The EA said it expected to fund the clearance efforts "through making efficiencies in its operations, without impacting or scaling back any of its other services".

Mr Miller said: "I am delighted that the Government and the Environment Agency have taken on board the responsibility to clear this site.

"It's what local campaigners and I have been asking for ever since we became aware of the scale of this dumping next to the River Cherwell.

"I look forward now to hearing the timetable by which the site will be cleared."

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