Residents in Kidlington will no longer have to live alongside a notorious illegal waste site, following a government-backed clean-up operation. The Environment Agency announced today, 27 August 2026, that an estimated 22,105 tonnes of commercial and household waste, including tyres, shredded plastic, and household rubbish, have been removed.
The site, which was larger than Wembley Stadium's pitch and located near the A34, was shut down in October 2025 after criminals were discovered dumping waste. Concrete blocks and a padlocked gate have now been installed to prevent further access.
The clean-up is part of the Prime Minister’s crackdown on waste crime, with the government and Environment Agency working to target organised criminal gangs. The Environment Agency is continuing its criminal investigation into the illegal dumping, and four people have been arrested.
The government plans to increase fines for rogue actors who dump waste illegally or fail to treat it correctly, from a maximum of £300 to up to £5,000. More serious offences can already lead to prosecution and imprisonment.