Work continues to be made by contractors to remove the 150-metre long trail of rubbish in a field alongside the A34.

Between 15 and 30 lorry loads of rubbish is being removed each day in a £7.3 million operation expected to last around six months.

Led by the Environment Agency, the work involves digging up and shifting 21,000 tonnes of waste, including tyres, shredded plastic and household rubbish from the illegal dumping site which covers 8,000 square metres – an area bigger than Wembley Stadium.

Waste is being removed from the Kidlington site (Image: Environment Agency)

The government agency said waste removal is “progressing well” since it started in mid April.

But another problem arising is the smell that is being released from the pile as diggers interrupt the waste which has been sat still for some nine months.

A spokesman said: “We have deodorisers on site to help mask the inevitable odour from the waste.

“As we dig deeper to remove the waste, this may become more noticeable, especially if this warmer weather continues.

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“If you wish to report odour from the site, please contact Cherwell District Council, where you can make your report via their website.

“When completing the details please use the post code OX52JJ and start your description with ‘Kidlington Illegal Waste Site’.”

The Environment Agency first attended the scene of the illegal tip in July 2025, issuing a cease and desist letter to stop further tipping.

When officers became aware of more dumping in October, the EA applied for and secured a court order to close down the site and said no further waste had been tipped since then.

There were concerns that pollution from the tip could spill into the nearby River Cherwell, prompting officials to install protective barriers to protect the waterway.

“The wooden fencing which was hidden by piles of waste is now visible,” the Environment Agency’s spokesman added in an update on the clearance.

“Temperature probes continue to provide live information, with monitoring showing temperatures to be stable and not at trigger points for response actions.”

Such is the progress being made, that the ground is now becoming visible where the rubbish was once sat.

Diggers remove the waste (Image: Environment Agency)

Anna Burns, Environment Agency area director for Thames, said the agency had spent time profiling the waste to ensure it was taken to the correct disposal sites, managing the wildlife, ensuring vehicles could come and go quickly and working with the local community and local authority on traffic management.

Work was also delayed slightly by the heavy rain in February, which made the site waterlogged, but Ms Burns said the team was “back on track now”.

“We have taken time to plan so that we can act quickly, and we hope that over the next few weeks we’ll start to see really rapid removal of the waste, with up to 30 lorry loads a day,” she said.

Busby & Fox is to open a new store in the High Street and contractors have been getting the retail unit ready for customers.

The independent women’s clothing brand operates as a small chain, with about 11 boutiques across the south of England and Wales.

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Founded in 2014 in Totnes, Devon, the chain focuses on own-label clothing, accessories, and jewellery.

It said in a statement: “We are thrilled to be opening our Oxford store at 114 High Street on Friday, May 22.

“It’s going to be a beautiful new space, and we are currently building a brilliant local team to help us welcome the community through our doors.

“Whether you’re planning to visit us as a customer or are looking to start a new career with us, we can’t wait to meet you.”

Staff are now being recruited.

The chain added in a statement: “We’re an independent womenswear brand creating a beautiful own-label collection with purpose.

“Our clothes are designed to make a meaningful difference to women’s wardrobes and bring confidence to everyday dressing.

Busby & Fox in Oxford (Image: Andy Ffrench)

“Everything in the Busby & Fox collection goes with everything else – day to night, work to weekend, season to season, year to year – so you’ll find yourself styling great looks without even trying.

“Timeless and classic, yet fresh and modern, we make it easy to create blendable, head-to-toe looks, meaning you always have an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and stylish in your own way. 

“Our unique approach to colour, fabric and shape, combined with clever cuts and details, ensures every piece complements your body and feels just right.”

Signs have now appeared outside the unit featuring the chain’s branding and saying “Hello Oxford”.

Radley Schools Group announced that Tim Knapp will serve as the new head of Kitebrook Prep School, a day and boarding independent school set in the heart of the Cotswolds countryside.

Mr Knapp brings more than 20 years of experience in prep school education, joining the Cotswolds institution from Pinewood School on the Oxfordshire border, where he has been deputy head since 2022.

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Before that, the teacher’s experience includes two years at Chandlings and 15 years in senior roles at The Dragon School in Oxford, after completing his degree and PGCE at Exeter University.

Mr Knapp said: “I am honoured to have been offered this position and look forward to harnessing and building on the school’s notable strengths: its nurturing environment; its strong academic outcomes and its distinctive location.

“The opportunity to lead Kitebrook is both inspiring and humbling.”

Tim Knapp, incoming head of Kitebrook school (Image: Kitebrook)

He will join as head of Kitebrook from the new academic year starting in September and is expected to bring ‘dynamism and innovation’ to the role.

Andrew Ashton, chief executive (prep schools) for Radley Schools Group said: “We were heartened to see such a strong field of applicants for this role, but Tim stood out for his energy, optimism and deep understanding of prep school education. 

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“With his boarding expertise and balanced approach to academic excellence, co-curricular enrichment and character development, he is an exceptional fit for Kitebrook. 

“We looking forward to welcoming Tim, his wife Emma, and their children to Kitebrook and the wider Radley Schools Group community.”

Radley Schools Group, launched in September last year, brings together eight private schools in the southeast, including Radley College, Cothill and Chandlings in Oxford.