MP opposes recycling centre closures

Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, has set out his strong opposition to the proposed closure of either the Bollington or Poynton household waste recycling centres.

He is now calling on local residents to make their objections known as part of Cheshire East Council’s Budget Consultation for 2024 to 2025.

Since the proposals were first announced, local residents have raised their concerns over the impact either closure would have in communities in the north of the Borough.

Both recycling centres are used not just by residents in Bollington and Poynton, but by many residents in neighbouring communities, including Adlington, Disley, Prestbury, Rainow, Pott Shrigley, Tytherington and Hurdsfield.

In response to the proposals, David wrote to the now former, interim Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council and highlighted his strong concerns and those of local residents on the impact the proposed closures would have.

As we seek to actively tackle climate change, it is vital to encourage and enable as many people as possible to recycle whenever possible. If either of the centres were to be closed, there would be an increase in inappropriate usage of waste bins, with items ending up in our bins which should have been taken to the recycling centres.

David has also highlighted that the proposed closures would lead to an increased risk of illegal fly-tipping – particularly in nearby rural areas. If the closures were to go ahead, this would mean longer car journeys, lengthening residents’ journey times and increasing traffic and air pollution, and the risk of garden or household waste being burned – with the associated impact on air quality.

The potential closure of these waste recycling centres will have a further negative impact on residents unable to or choosing not to opt into Cheshire East Council’s new garden waste annual charge.

Cheshire East Council’s Budget Consultation is now live. David is asking local residents to make their views known and show their support for keeping the household waste recycling centres open. He has already submitted a response to the consultation, setting out local opposition to these proposals. The consultation can be completed, using the following link, https://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/Budget_Consultation_2024_2025/ and residents have until the 28th January 2024 to submit a comment.