The waste dump, approximately 150 meters long, contains tyres, shredded plastic, and household waste. The Environment Agency is leading the clean-up, with Acumen Waste Services Ltd carrying out the removal. Between 15 and 30 lorry loads of waste are expected to be transported daily during the operation. The clean-up contract with Acumen is estimated to be worth around £8 million, according to sources. Logistical challenges have included heavy rain in February which waterlogged the site, delaying work. A makeshift 'road' must be laid over soft mud before removal lorries can access the site. Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, said contractors are putting in place a hard standing to allow waste removal.
A criminal investigation has been launched, resulting in the arrests of four people from Guildford, Andover, Slough, and Ashford. All arrested men have been released while the investigation continues, and no charges have been brought against them. The Environment Agency's investigation has led to frozen bank accounts. Emma Viner of the Environment Agency said joint efforts with the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit resulted in further arrests. The dumping was described as a 'very long, prepared criminal operation' by Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency. He noted that the gang involved had planned it back to January 2025 and put up concealment barriers early that month, and that much of the waste was dumped in a small number of nights.
I have seen the immense scale of the site, which I am proud to say the government is now clearing up.
Authorities have known about the dump since June, when local people reported site activity. The Environment Agency initially visited in July and issued a cease and desist letter to stop further dumping. Satellite images from June show disturbance to the land. The land was sold in January 2025. The Environment Agency obtained a court order to close the site in October after more waste was dumped, and the site was first closed in October when the Oxford Mail broke the news. No further waste has been deposited since the site closure. The decision to clear the site was taken on December 11 due to fire risks identified by the fire service. Witness Joshua Eastwood reported seeing trucks dumping waste late at night in summer 2025.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said he was 'appalled' by the waste dump and urged a speedy clean-up. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds visited the site and called the dump 'disgraceful.' The government-funded Environment Agency is paying for the clean-up but will pursue those responsible for payment. Resident William Burnell said the site was dealt with quickly because MP Calum Miller took it to parliament.
Our wider Waste Crime Action Plan is cracking down on waste criminals by giving the Environment Agency new police-style powers and using new technology, like specialised drones, to prevent this criminality in the future.
Environmental risks at the site include thermometers placed within the waste pile at a depth of two meters reading temperatures of 78°C (172°F). Further waste, separate from the large pile, was dumped across the area and concealed by mounds of dirt. Protective barriers were installed to prevent pollution from the site spilling into the River Cherwell.
Preparation work to clear the site began in January. The Environment Agency needs to improve its response time to waste crime.
If you look at a case like Kidlington, that was a very long, prepared, criminal operation.
The gang involved had clearly thought about planning it back to January of that year (2025) - they put up concealment barriers around the site early in that month.
A lot of the very largest waste sites - and I would put Kidlington in Oxfordshire in this category - were dumped in a very small number of nights.
The illegal dumping of waste at Kidlington is appalling and has caused significant damage to the environment and distress to the local community.