Helen urges council to reconsider tip closure plans

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has written to Shropshire Council leadership to urge them to reconsider plans which would see two of the five Household Recycling Centres in Shropshire shut.

As part of the latest round of Shropshire Council budget cuts, centres including Oswestry and Whitchurch are being considered for closure. For some, this would make the nearest Shropshire Council tip a 45 minute drive.

In her letter to Council Chief Executive Andy Begley and Council Leader Lezley Picton, the MP has asked that both Oswestry and Whitchurch are kept open, adding that if closures do take place, the council must invest in replacement provision such as estate skips to offset the impact.

She has argued that the closures would add to fly-tipping, creating extra cost for the council to clean up, reducing the amount saved.

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said, “I’m supporting people across North Shropshire who want to save their local tip.

“Oswestry and Whitchurch are both under threat from Shropshire Council’s latest round of budget cuts.

“Closures would be incredibly short-sighted, lead to increased fly-tipping and litter across the county, and create a major inconvenience for many residents who are already having to travel a long way to their nearest Household Recycling Centre.

“I have written to the Chief Executive and Council Leader to ask that they reconsider these plans and find other ways to make savings, if they have to.

“I’ve also said that if they do go ahead with closures, we need replacement provision to deal with the inevitable impact of losing yet another local service.”