Public warned as work starts on Oxfordshire rubbish mountain

Last year, the dumping of a 150-metre-long mountain of waste in a field alongside the A34 in Kidlington, raising risks of pollution into the nearby river, provoked widespread outrage.

The Environment Agency previously declared a critical incident over the fly-tip, and immediately attended the site on July 2, 2025, after an initial report was made.

Four men have since been arrested in connection with the dumping and remain under formal investigation, but no charges have been brought forward yet.

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Work at the Oxfordshire site. (Image: Environment Agency)

In early February, eight trees were removed from around the site entrance to enable lorries, which will remove the waste, to access the site.

Yorkshire firm Acumen Waste Services won the £8m contract to remove the waste, which is very close to the River Cherwell.

Now, the final steps are being made to prepare the site to be cleared of the mountain pile of illegally dumped rubbish.

A statement from the Environment Agency said: “The site set up is progressing as planned.

“The base layer of aggregate over the saturated ground to enable heavy vehicle access is now complete, and track matting is being laid.

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Work at the Oxfordshire site. (Image: Environment Agency)

“This will ensure lorries taking waste away can easily access and leave the site, even if we get further rain.”

With the new update, the Environment Agency warned members of the public not to enter the site.

“Please do not enter the site,” a statement said.

“It is dangerous to climb on the waste; you are putting yourself at risk and compromising the criminal investigation, which is a criminal offence. There is 24-hour surveillance in place.”

The footpath from the Bicester Road in Gosford to the East side of the A34 has also been temporarily closed by Oxfordshire County Council.

This is due to the illegal waste deposit and is “in the interests of public safety”, says the Environment Agency.

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Work at the Oxfordshire site. (Image: Environment Agency)

Callum Miller, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, welcomed the news with a statement today (Thursday, April 2).

“Work to prepare the waste site for clearance is moving forward, with temporary access measures now being put in place and monitoring equipment installed to help manage fire risk,” he said.

“This should allow for ease to be removed regardless of any weather changes, and it is good to see progress finally being made on site.

“Residents have waited far too long for action, and I hope this work can now be completed as quickly and safely as possible.

“There must also be proper accountability for those responsible for the disruption and distress caused to the local community and environment.”