A major clean-up operation is now underway in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, where trucks have begun removing mountains of illegally dumped waste, the Environment Agency has announced today (Tuesday 14 April 2026).
The operation – led by the Environment Agency and carried out by Acumen Waste Services Ltd – will see an estimated 21,000 tonnes of commercial and household waste, including tyres, shredded plastic, and household rubbish, dug up and removed from the notorious illegal waste site.
Specialist teams will work at pace, shifting around 15 to 30 lorry loads a day to clear the site and tackle the damage caused by organised criminal gangs, in an operation expected to last around 6 months.
Criminals dumped the waste across 8,000 square metres of land near the A34 in Kidlington – an area larger than the pitch at Wembley Stadium. Environment Agency officers shut down the site in October 2025, and since then no further tipping has taken place.
Anna Burns, Environment Agency Area Director for Thames, said
Today marks a major step in clearing the Kidlington site and restoring the area for local people.
We are working to remove this waste as quickly as possible while continuing our investigation to bring those responsible to justice. Waste criminals should be in no doubt – this type of crime will not go unpunished.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said
The illegal waste dump in Kidlington is disgraceful. I have seen the immense scale of the site, which I am proud to say the government is now clearing up.
There has already been significant progress, with four arrests made in connection to the site.
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.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said
It is a relief to everyone to see work begin in earnest to get this eyesore removed. A huge amount of planning and preparation has taken place between all agencies after action was taken to secure the site in late 2025.
I thank the county council and Cherwell district officers who have been involved in working with teams from other agencies with the Environment Agency in the lead role.
We all look forward to the day when all the waste has been removed and this corner of Oxfordshire can be restored to normality for people and wildlife alike.
The Environment Agency continues to progress its criminal investigation into the illegal dumping of waste at Kidlington. Since the dumping took place, four people have already been arrested by the Environment Agency and its partners – a vital step toward securing justice for the local community.
The clean-up operation comes as the government and Environment Agency continues its nationwide crackdown on organised waste crime. Last month, the government published its Waste Crime Action Plan, setting out a zero-tolerance approach with sweeping measures to take the fight to waste criminals. This includes issuing penalty points for drivers found to have illegally dumped waste, and giving the Environment Agency police-style powers to clamp down on offenders faster.
As part of the Environment Agency’s 10 Point Plan on Waste Crime, the organisation will act earlier to address illegal activity and deliver more consistent enforcement action. This includes suspending or revoking permits, making greater use of restriction notices and naming and shaming illegal waste operators.
The Environment Agency urges anyone that has information that may assist the Kidlington investigation to call their 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060. Alternatively, they can report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the Crimestoppers website.