Fly-tipping worries grow amid review of Surrey recycling centres

THE clamour is growing that closing recycling centres will lead to a plague of fly-tipping in our countryside.

Cash-strapped Surrey County Council is scrutinising the future of its recycling centres, which include those at Horley Road in Earlswood, Chaldon Road in Caterham and Bond Road in Warlingham.

Cutting opening hours or even closing some of them permanently are options on the council’s consultation, which runs until September 30.

Illegal dumping costs Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Tandridge District Council about £60k apiece in clean-up costs each year.

Caterham Hill county councillor John Orrick told the Mirror: “Incidences of fly-tipping will dramatically increase if these centres suffer reduced hours or closure. The clear-up costs would fall on the borough or district council, so there would be no saving to taxpayers.

“These centres are highly valued and much-used. I hope a lot of people will have their say and take part in the consultation.”

Jonathan Essex, Green county councillor for Redhill East, said: “There will always be a few people who try and break the rules.

“It would be far more cost-effective to increase recycling rather than councils having to spend money on disposal costs.”

Mike Goodman, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “We face tough decisions because of the pressures our finances are under.

“But whatever we do we will make sure there is a comprehensive network of centres covering the whole county.

“And people will still be able to take everyday household and garden waste to our centres free of charge.

“We will carefully consider the feedback we get so we can make the right decisions.”