Home / Environment / £7.3M Cleanup of Oxfordshire Waste Site
£7.3M Cleanup of Oxfordshire Waste Site
15 Apr
Summary
- A 150-metre long illegal waste site near River Cherwell is being cleared.
- The colossal clean-up operation costs £7.3 million and lasts six months.
- Concerns over pollution prompted installation of protective barriers.
A "disgraceful" mountain of illegal waste, measuring 150 metres long, is being cleared from a site near the River Cherwell in Oxfordshire. This colossal clean-up operation, costing £7.3 million, is expected to last approximately six months. The vast illegal dumping ground, covering 8,000 square metres, contains an estimated 21,000 tonnes of rubbish, including tyres and household waste.
Officials declared the situation a critical incident last November, leading to a criminal investigation and four arrests. Concerns about pollution seeping into the River Cherwell led to the installation of protective barriers. The Environment Agency's criminal investigation is ongoing, and they aim to recover costs from those responsible.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds stated that the government is proud to be clearing the site and is cracking down on waste criminals with new police-style powers and technology. Similar clean-up operations are planned or underway in Wigan, Lancashire, and Sheffield, highlighting a broader issue of criminal activity in the waste sector.
