Cost of removing mountain of illegal waste near River Cherwell to exceed £7m

A “disgraceful” 150-metre-long mountain of illegal waste has finally been cleared from a site near the River Cherwell in Oxfordshire, officials have confirmed.

The massive clean-up operation, costing £7.3 million, is expected to take around six months.

Traces of litter caused widespread outrage, sparking a criminal investigation and the Environment Agency declaring it a critical incident last November.

The vast illegal dump, located at a site off the A34 in Kidlington, covers 8,000 square metres, an area larger than Wembley Stadium.

It contains an estimated 21,000 tonnes of rubbish, including tyres, shredded plastic and household waste, which will be excavated and removed.

It is expected to transport between 15 and 30 truck loads per day.

The comprehensive work is being led by the Environment Agency, while Acumen Waste Services Ltd is also carrying out the removal.

Concerns had been raised that pollution from the site could spill into the nearby River Cherwell, prompting authorities to install protective barriers to protect the waterway.

The Environment Agency first went to the site of the illegal tip-off and issued a cease and desist letter to stop further littering.

However, when officers became aware that more waste was being dumped in October, the authority successfully applied for a court order to close the facility. No further waste has been stored since then.

The agency opened a criminal investigation and four people were arrested.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously called for the illegal site to be cleared quickly, saying he was “horrified” by the pile of waste, and the Environment Agency had been working on options for removing and disposing of the rubbish since November.

As a result of evidence received from the fire service regarding the risk of fire breaking out close to the strategic A34 road route, the decision was taken to clear the area on 11 December.

Thames Environment Agency regional manager Anna Burns said the start of the works was a “major step” in cleaning up the Kidlington site and restoring the area for local people and that the agency would work to remove the waste as quickly as possible while continuing its investigation into those responsible.

He said: “Criminals showed no respect for the environment or people when they dumped this waste, but that’s what we do, so we had to do it properly.”

He said the agency spent time profiling waste, managing wildlife, ensuring vehicles could come and go quickly, and working with the local community and local government on traffic management to ensure waste was taken to the correct disposal sites.

Work was also delayed slightly by heavy rain in February, which led to the site being flooded, but Ms Burns said the team was “on track now”.

“We’ve taken the time to plan so we can move quickly, and we’re hoping that within the next few weeks we’ll start to see waste being eliminated really quickly, up to 30 truckloads a day,” he said.

He added: “This site and other high-profile sites have really highlighted the scope of criminal activity in the waste sector and we are really focused on addressing this and learning from these incidents.”

A recent 10-point action plan from the Environment Agency sets out how the regulator will act faster, intervene earlier and take steps to prevent illegal dumping in the first place; for example, by predicting how criminals determine where to litter.

The expected £7.3 million cost of the operation to clean up the Cherwell site is being funded by the Environment Agency, but officials have said they will pursue those responsible for the money as the investigation progresses.

Ms Burns said: “We are absolutely focused on bringing those who caused this atrocity to justice.”

Councilor Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said there had been a “huge amount of planning and preparation” between agencies to deal with the site.

“It is a relief for everyone to see that work has begun in earnest to remove this eyesore,” he said.

“We all look forward to the day when all waste is removed and this corner of Oxfordshire can be returned to normal for both people and wildlife.”

Environment Minister Emma Reynolds said: “The illegal dump site in Kidlington is disgraceful. I have seen the sheer size of the site and I am proud to say the government is now cleaning it up.”

“Significant progress has already been made with four arrests made in connection with the site.

“Our wider Waste Crime Action Plan tackles waste criminals by giving the Environment Agency new police-style powers and using new technologies such as dedicated drones to prevent these crimes in the future.”

The government has also pledged to fund the clean-up of several other large illegal waste dumps by carrying out on-site feasibility assessments at Bolton House Road in Wigan, where 18,000 tonnes of waste was dumped, and at a site in Hyndburn, Lancashire, where 10,000 tonnes were dumped.

An assessment will also be made to clean up an industrial site in Sheffield where 20,000 tonnes of waste was dumped, officials said last month.