The clearance, originally expected to start in February, is now underway at the site near the A34.
The operation is being led by the EA and carried out by Acumen Waste Services.
An estimated 21,000 tonnes of waste – including tyres, shredded plastics and household rubbish – will be excavated and removed from the illegal dumping grounds.
Teams are expected to remove between 15 and 30 lorry loads of waste each day, with the full operation likely to take around six months to complete.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds commented: “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.”
Kidlington waste crime
EA officers first attended the Kidlington site on 2 July 2025 following reports of illegal tipping on land between the River Cherwell and the A34.
The landowner was issued with a cease-and-desist letter, but inspections later revealed waste was still being deposited.
A court order shutting down operations was granted on 23 October 2025, after which the EA confirmed no further tipping had taken place.
By that point, a vast mound of mixed waste had accumulated across the floodplain, stretching approximately 150 metres and reaching up to six metres in height.
The pile contains plastics, wood, foam and other materials and is estimated to weigh hundreds of tonnes.
Concerns over fire risk and environmental harm ultimately led the EA to authorise clearance of the site in December 2025.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, added: “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.
“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.”
Subscribe for free