Clearance work to begin at Kidlington waste dump
Planning work has begun to clear the illegal waste dump in Kidlington, the Environment Agency has announced.
New information regarding the likelihood and potential impact of a fire at the site means that an exceptional decision has been made to progress work to entirely clear the site of waste.
The Environment Agency expects to fund the clearance efforts through making efficiencies in its operations, without impacting or scaling back any of its other services. However, it is not funded to clear up waste sites nationally and will only make these decisions under truly exceptional circumstances.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “This is the news that the residents of Kidlington and the surrounding areas have been longing to hear, and we thank the Environment Agency for finding the resources for the waste to be cleared in these exceptional circumstances.
“While we agree with the principle that the polluter should pay for any clear-up, the scale of this waste and its proximity to the A34, the River Cherwell and rail infrastructure means that there is a unique level of risk compared with similar sites around the country.
“To prevent any increasing chance of long-term environmental damage and potentially major impact on nationally significant infrastructure it is vital that the waste is removed as soon as possible.”
New advice from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service indicated the possibility of a fire on site, which could have widespread impacts on the community, including closing the A34, raising air quality issues from the smoke and interrupting electrical supplies.
Cllr Roberts added: “We will continue to assist the Environment Agency in any way we can to bring the criminals who created this blight on the community.”
Following the appalling large-scale dumping of waste earlier in the summer, partners, including Oxfordshire County Council, have been monitoring the site, restricting access to prevent further dumping, installing environmental safeguards and considering next steps to ensure the community is protected.
The Environment Agency said the scale of the fire risk sets this case apart from other illegal waste dumps in England and presents an overriding public imperative. As such, preparatory works for clearance will begin imminently.
Further details on the timeframe for clearance will be set out shortly.
Philip Duffy, Environment Agency chief executive, said: “The brazen criminality at Kidlington has appalled all of us at the Environment Agency. Our local teams have been at this site working with partners to reduce harm and minimise risks while we pursue those responsible.
“This week, new information on the risk of fire was received from the fire and rescue service and the police and a decision made to clear the site as soon as possible on a wholly exceptional basis. The EA and our local partners are now working through the most effective way to manage this work.
“We will update the public on progress with that as soon as we are able. We are determined that waste criminals will see justice for this serious offending.”
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