'Democracy dead in Shropshire' says campaigner
A leading campaigner against plans to close a community tip has branded a recommendation to axe it "appalling", claiming "democracy is dead in Shropshire"'.
Andy Boddington said council officers had totally ignored the views of townsfolk, who gathered a 2,000-plus name petition together in a bid to keep the Coder Road site in Ludlow open.
Dr Larry Wolfe, head of waste management at Shropshire Council, says the skip and recycling centre should shut because of its poor recycling performance compared to other sites in the county.
His recommendation is expected to be rubber-stamped by cabinet member Steve Charmley at a meeting on Tuesday.
It will be a smack in the face for people in the town who have fought hard to keep it open since the possibility of the axe falling was mooted in the middle of last year.
A petition carrying more than 2,000 names was handed in to the local authority, and two separate public consultations attracted a further 200 plus responses.
Campaigners expressed fears shutting the facility would lead to an increase in fly-tipping as people would not be prepared to travel to the next closest site in Craven Arms.
But Dr Wolfe, in a report submitted ahead of the meeting, said closure was still the best option.
Mr Boddington, who lives in Chestnut Grove in Ludlow and has been one of the key voices leading the campaign to save the tip, said: "I am appalled that Shropshire Council has decided to close our local tip and recycling centre.
"More than 2,000 people signed a petition against closure.
"The response to both the council's consultations on closure was unanimous – everyone in Ludlow wants the facility kept open.
"Democracy is dead in Shropshire.
"The council no longer listens to what people are saying. What is the point in having a consultation if the results are disregarded?
"This decision will strip jobs from the town. It will lead to more fly-tipping and recycling. What on earth are we paying council tax for when Shropshire Council does so little for Ludlow?"
Council chiefs say closing the site, which they say has a poor recycling rate compared to others in the county, would save £100,000 per year in staffing, servicing vehicles, licences and maintenance.
