'Inevitable odour' as giant waste pile removed

The organisation responsible for removing a giant illegal waste tip has cautioned residents of the "inevitable odour" as it removes the rubbish over the coming months.

About 21,000 tonnes of mixed domestic and commercial waste was dumped between the River Cherwell and the A34 near Kidlington last year.

The Environment Agency (EA), whose £7.3m operation involves the removal of 15-30 lorry loads of waste each day, said it had set up deodorisers on site to help mask the smell.

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

The operation is expected to take about five more months to complete.

In November, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the 150m (490ft)-long pile as "appalling" and said a criminal investigation was under way.

Reports of odour from the site can be made to Cherwell District Council.

The EA said the removal was "progressing well", with wooden fencing - previously hidden by piles of waste - now visible, and some parts of the mountain removed down to ground level.

In December, the government said an "exceptional decision" had been made to clear the site due to the risk of fire.

Thermometers placed in the rubbish were reading temperatures of 78C (172F) when the operation began in April.

"Temperature probes continue to provide live information, with monitoring showing temperatures to be stable and not at trigger points for response actions," the EA said.

The waste, including tyres, shredded plastic and household rubbish, originally covered about 8,000 sq m (two acres) - an area bigger than a football pitch.

So far four men have been arrested in connection with the illegal waste tip.

A 39-year-old man from Guildford was arrested in November.

A 69-year-old man was arrested at a property in Andover, Hampshire, and a 54-year-old man was arrested in Slough, Berkshire in January.

A 52-year-old man from Ashford, Surrey, was arrested in February.

All have been released while the investigation continues.

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