Clean-up of Kidlington illegal waste dump 'to begin next month'
The Government's said the 20,000 tonnes of illegal waste should be cleared by the end of 2026
Last updated 6th Jan 2026
The operation to clear a mountain of illegal waste near the banks of the River Cherwell should begin next month - and may take until the end of the year, the Government has said.
Environment minister Mary Creagh issued a warning shot to criminals behind the unlawful dump, as she was asked how long it would take to dispose of the 150 metre-long waste tip in Oxfordshire.
"My message to the waste criminals is we are coming for you, and we are going to shut you down," she told the House of Commons.
The Environment Agency said in December it would clear the site near the A34 in Kidlington over fire and public safety risks.
The body had declared a critical incident over the 20,000 tonnes of illegal waste, which reached 12 metres in height.
Officials have found "significant amounts" of household and commercial waste, and the Environment Agency closed the site in October.
A 39-year-old man from the Guildford area has been arrested.
Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller (Bicester and Woodstock), who has lobbied the Government on the tip, said the scene had been "staggering".
He urged the clear-up to begin "urgently".
Mr Miller said: "Around 20,000 tonnes of waste dumped illegally on a flood plain alongside the River Cherwell, close to the A34. You had to see it to believe it."
He continued: "The key question that my constituents continue to ask is when will the waste be removed?"
He added: "What has struck me most about this toxic crime is how strongly people feel this is wrong. Wrong to be so arrogant as to spoil our beautiful countryside. Wrong that too many people get away with it and that the penalties are not higher, and wrong that it takes too long to clear up these sites."
MPs heard that water testing had not found a significant increase in chemical pollutants in the River Cherwell.
Ms Creagh told the adjournment debate that the risk was "very low". Barriers have been erected to stop the waste going into the river.
Ms Creagh said the criminal investigation was ongoing, with results from forensic tests on rubbish from the Kidlington site being available from the end of January.
The Environment Agency is hoping to recoup costs for the clearance from those responsible in line with its new legislation that "the polluter pays".
Ms Creagh said: "The Environment Agency will continue to closely monitor the site whilst preparatory work takes place. They've informed me today that prep work will begin shortly, and clearance of the waste is expected to start in February."
She continued: "Analysis on how the site will be cleared, including ecology surveys, have all been carried out and with partners and with the Environment Agency to get contracts in place as soon as possible. But we need to follow legal process to ensure the waste is disposed of correctly.
"The clearance timetable is being finalised and will shortly be published on the engagement HQ website and as I said, clearance to begin, we hope in February. Early indications and scoping indicates that full clearance will take approximately six to nine months."