🔗 Share this article Illegal dumpers cover open land in enormous heap of rubbish Witness The area has been described as an "environmental catastrophe". A reporter visited the scene and said the pile appeared to be "20ft high at least". Illegal dumpers have discarded a huge quantity of garbage in a rural area in Oxfordshire. The "ecological disaster unfolding in plain sight" is up to 150m (490ft) in length and 6m (20ft) tall. The massive pile has materialized in a open area alongside the River Cherwell close to Kidlington. Elected official highlighted the issue in parliament, stating it was "posing risk of an ecological catastrophe". Conservation group said the unauthorized rubbish dump was established around a month ago by an illegal operation. "This is an environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight. "Every day that goes by raises the threat of toxic seepage reaching the waterways, contaminating wildlife and endangering the health of the whole watershed. "The Environment Agency must respond now, not in months or years, which is their usual action timeframe." Access ban had been implemented by the environmental authorities. It is difficult to distinguish any particular bits of rubbish as it looks to have been pulverized with earth blended. Some of the waste from the uppermost part of the heap has toppled and is now just five feet from the waterway. The River Cherwell is a branch of the River Thames, which means it flows through Oxford before meeting the Thames. Parliament TV Elected official mentioned the cost of disposing of the garbage would be significant The official requested the government for help to eliminate the illegal tip before it caused a inferno or was washed away into the river system. Informing MPs on this week, he stated: "Lawbreakers have discarded a massive amount of illegal plastic waste... totaling substantial weight, in my district on a floodplain adjacent to the River Cherwell. "Water heights are increasing and temperature readings show that the garbage is also heating up, increasing the danger of blaze. "Environmental authorities stated it has limited funding for compliance, that the projected price of removal is larger than the entire annual funding of the municipal authority." Environment minister stated the authorities had inherited a underperforming waste industry that had resulted in an "widespread problem of illegal waste disposal". She advised MPs the agency had implemented a restriction order to prevent additional admission to the site. In a declaration, the authority said it was investigating the incident and appealed for details. It commented: "We acknowledge the citizens' frustration about situations like this, which is why we respond against those responsible for illegal dumping." A recent investigation determined initiatives to tackle serious illegal dumping have been "severely neglected" despite the issue developing into more extensive and more advanced. Government advisors proposed an autonomous "root and branch" investigation into how "widespread" illegal dumping is tackled.