More than 1400 residents petition for the Swindon Road tip to reopen after its closure due to funding issues and council disputes.
More than 1400 residents petition for the Swindon Road tip to reopen after its closure due to funding issues and council disputes.
Cheltenham Residents Demand Reopening of Swindon Road Recycling Centre
Cheltenham says the tip needs £1 million for updates. These updates would meet new rules. The county council declined this proposal. They feel other sites, like Wingmoor Farm, suffice.
Max Wilkinson, an MP, created a petition asking the county to help the borough council. The petition got over 1,400 signatures from residents.
Councillor Whyborn presented the petition at a meeting. Councillor Tooke also supports saving the site. They want the county to fulfill its role as the waste disposal authority.
Councillor Tooke thinks the county should take action. He said the county has managed waste since 1974. The borough has subsidized the county, he added, and thinks this is unfair.
He finds it disappointing the county will not help. It has not invested in the tip for 50 years. Councillor Gray said the county knows people like the Swindon Road site.
He said the county fulfills its recycling obligations now and Cheltenham was only providing an extra service. The county will not cover Cheltenham’s investment shortfall.
Councillor Gray blames the borough’s poor finances, stating that they want to offload assets as a result. The tip is now a liability and needs significant funding due to neglect.
The county provides good recycling services already, and Wingmoor has improved, he added. Taking on that tip liability is not smart, as it needs much money yearly.
He understands residents’ concerns and assures them the county offers good service. The Swindon Road site is not viable now.
The county wants to fund care homes and schools. Bailing out Cheltenham is not a priority.
Cheltenham says the tip needs £1 million for updates. These updates would meet new rules. The county council declined this proposal. They feel other sites, like Wingmoor Farm, suffice.
Max Wilkinson, an MP, created a petition asking the county to help the borough council. The petition got over 1,400 signatures from residents.
Councillor Whyborn presented the petition at a meeting. Councillor Tooke also supports saving the site. They want the county to fulfill its role as the waste disposal authority.
Councillor Tooke thinks the county should take action. He said the county has managed waste since 1974. The borough has subsidized the county, he added, and thinks this is unfair.
He finds it disappointing the county will not help. It has not invested in the tip for 50 years. Councillor Gray said the county knows people like the Swindon Road site.
He said the county fulfills its recycling obligations now and Cheltenham was only providing an extra service. The county will not cover Cheltenham’s investment shortfall.
Councillor Gray blames the borough’s poor finances, stating that they want to offload assets as a result. The tip is now a liability and needs significant funding due to neglect.
The county provides good recycling services already, and Wingmoor has improved, he added. Taking on that tip liability is not smart, as it needs much money yearly.
He understands residents’ concerns and assures them the county offers good service. The Swindon Road site is not viable now.
The county wants to fund care homes and schools. Bailing out Cheltenham is not a priority.