Liberal Democrat pressure pays off: Charlton Recycling Centre to reopen

Spelthorne Liberal Democrats and their colleagues at Surrey County Council have been calling for some weeks for the Charlton Recycling Centre and others to reopen. This pressure has finally paid off as Surrey County Council, who manage the site, have announced a restricted reopening from Monday 11 May. Initially, only garden and landfill waste will be processed but it is hoped that a full service will be reinstated soon with accompanying social distancing measures in place at all times.

Commenting on this decision, Spelthorne Liberal Democrat Councillor Tom Fidler said "Whilst initial closure was considered the only option at the point of lockdown in March, it has become increasingly evident that a significant increase in fly-tipping and people resorting to burning rubbish has been experienced in the Borough and beyond. It has been felt more recently that this decision needed revisiting given the environmental and financial impact. Local Lib Dems have been calling for a rethink, urging our colleagues at Surrey to press for reopening. Finally, this pressure has borne fruit.".

Picture: Cllr Tom Fidler at Spelthorne Eco Park, Charlton