Blame Cameron for closing Cross Roads recycling centre, says Andrew Thornton (From Keighley News)
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Blame Cameron for closing Cross Roads recycling centre, says Andrew Thornton
2:00pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News
Bradford’s Conservative councillors are blaming the wrong Dave for the planned closure of Sugden End recycling centre at Cross Roads, according to a Labour councillor.
Andrew Thornton, executive member for the environment, was responding to what he believes to be a “ridiculous” claim the closure would mean people faced a half-hour drive to dump their waste.
He says the Tories are wrongly blaming council leader, Councillor Dave Green, for the cuts, when the blame lies with Prime Minister David Cameron.
The authority says the Cross Roads facility is the least used of its recycling centres, and the closure is necessary to save money in the light of central government funding cuts.
Coun Rebecca Poulsen, Conservative spokesman for regeneration, said: “I find it somewhat confusing that on the one hand the council is encouraging residents to take their refuse to the nearest waste transfer centre, yet at the same time budgeting to close Sugden End, despite it being a heavily used centre, which is much valued by local residents.
“Some will have to travel for as long as an extra half-an-hour to the next available recycling centre. Common sense suggests to me the less responsible amongst us will simply not bother and at worst resort to a bit of fly-tipping.
“I am confident the money the council hopes to save by this closure will prove to be a false economy, as the cost of tidying up after the additional mess this closure causes is likely to far outstrip a mere £100,000 or so per year.
“It is unreasonable to expect the more vulnerable or infirm members of our communities to travel this extra distance.”
But Coun Thornton responded: “Sugden End has the least number of visits of all our household waste recycling centres, and Coun Poulsen’s comment it would take an extra half-an-hour to drive to an alternative is ridiculous.
“Most homes will remain within a 15-minute drive of a centre and virtually all within 20 minutes’ drive. If she wants to ‘Blame Dave’ she needs to direct her anger at Mr Cameron.
“Government cuts in funding to local authorities have required budget reductions of £72 million in the past two years, and the council is now facing cuts of almost £30 million in 2013/14.
l What do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@keighleynews.co.uk or write to The Editor, Keighley News, 80-86 North Street, Keighley BD31 3AG. Include your full name, address and phone number.
Comments(3)
Mixter
says...
7:59pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Use tips in other parts of the country, and they couldnt care less where the waste came from as long as you dont abuse the system. They even give you a hand out of the van with it! As a result, its noticeable how rubbish-free their highways and byeways are.
samuels david
says...
12:20pm Wed 6 Feb 13
I have family in Haworth who find it difficult enough to travel into Keighley, let alone the fight to Hard Inns.
Basically the solution is very simple, and would apply to any local council with huge economic problems and don’t wish to raise ratepayers financial burdens, cut the mangers numbers and then cut the salaries of all senior staff by at least 10%.
Problem solved!
Will any council do it, most certainly not!
It’s greed and position, not caring for the public purse!
David Samuels
skitty4paws says...
6:41pm Tue 5 Feb 13