Liberal Democrat County Councillors have expressed their anger and opposition to proposals to axe four Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) across the county.

The proposals follow on from the reduction in opening hours the introduction of hugely unpopular charges to use the CRCs which were implemented last year – actions which would appear to have resulted in increased fly-tipping across the Dorking Hills.

The County Council’s preferred proposals are to:

1. Permanently close four smaller CRCs – Bagshot, Cranleigh, Dorking and Warlingham
2. End the free daily allowance of non-household waste
3. Close the remaining CRCs on two weekdays so all sites are open for five days a week
4. Restrict users of vans, trailers and pick-ups to larger CRCs only
5. Ensure CRCs in Camberley and Farnham are only used by Surrey residents

It is clear that these proposals, if implemented, will make it harder for people to do the right thing and dispose of their waste responsibly and that increased fly-tipping – which the National Trust, farmers / landowners and the District Council will have to pay to clear up – is likely to be the end result.

It is also clear that these proposals are being brought forward because of the financial crisis at County Hall caused by the Conservative Leader’s failure to persuade his Conservative colleagues in central government to provide a better funding settlement for social services.

We are totally opposed to these proposed closures and urge residents to make their voices heard in this consultation – which can be accessed via the County Council’s consultation web page – and to tell this out of touch and arrogant County Council exactly what they think of their proposals.