£7.3m cleanup to clear illegal waste dump by River Cherwell
£7.3m cleanup to clear illegal waste dump by River Cherwell
A 150m illegal waste trail beside the A34 at Kidlington is set for a six‑month, £7.3m cleanup led by the Environment Agency, amid four arrests and concerns for the River Cherwell.
A 150-metre trail of rubbish stretched along a field beside the A34 in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, is finally being cleared in a major operation. The clean-up, costing about £7.3 million, is expected to take around six months. The waste dump covers roughly 8,000 square metres and holds an estimated 21,000 tonnes of tyres, shredded plastic and household rubbish.
The Environment Agency is leading the work, with Acumen Waste Services Ltd carrying out removal. Officials say between 15 and 30 lorry loads will be taken away each day.
Concerns about pollution reaching the River Cherwell prompted protective barriers to safeguard the waterway. The agency first issued a cease and desist order, and when more waste was tipped in October, a court order closed the site. A criminal investigation led to four arrests.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously said he was appalled by the mountain of waste, urging a speedy cleanup. The authorities say the work began after evidence from the fire service underscored fire risks at the dump. Once cleared, the site is expected to be returned to safe use.
