FURTHER cuts are proposed to Surrey’s community recycling centres (CRC) to save up to £2 million, in a move condemned by opposition Lib democrats councillors as “a green light for fly-tipping”.

The county council is aiming to save more than £100million this year and residents are being asked for their views on closing four smaller recycling centres, closing them on two weekdays, ending the free daily allowance of construction waste and ensuring they are used only by Surrey residents.

Savings have already been made by reducing opening days and hours, opening re-use shops at larger sites and introducing charges for larger amounts of non-household waste.

The proposals have gone out to consultation until August 7. They include:–

• Ending the free daily allowance of non-household waste

• Closing CRCs on two weekdays so all sites are open for five days a week

• Ensuring CRCs in Camberley and Farnham are only used by Surrey residents

• Permanently closing Bagshot, Cranleigh, Warlingham and Dorking CRCs

• Restricting users of vans, trailers and pick-ups to larger CRCs only

Responses submitted during the consultation will be taken into account when the final plans are agreed later in the autumn.

Mike Goodman, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “We face very tough decisions and we very much regret having to make these proposals but we have to save more than £100million this year alone, including £2million from community recycling centres, to deal with rising demand for things like children’s services, adult social care and school places.

“Despite that, our proposals would mean there would still be a comprehensive network of CRCs across the county and we will also continue our work to tackle fly-tipping which has dropped by more than 1,000 tonnes over the past year.”

Lib Dem councillors objected to the plans to axe the four recycling centres across the county, as well as the introduction last year of charges to use rubbish dumps despite widespread opposition. Party environment and highways spokesman Stephen Cooksey, said: “These proposals are a green light for fly-tipping in Surrey.

“The Conservatives at County Hall are making it harder and harder for people to do the right thing and dispose of their waste responsibly. The environmental consequence of discouraging the use of CRCs would be very significant.

“Furthermore, these plans are being pushed by the Tories because of the financial crisis at County Hall caused by their failure to persuade their Conservative central government to provide a better funding settlement.

“Last time the council consulted on charges and reduced hours for recycling centres, residents told them loud and clear that they did not want them.

“The Conservatives then ignored them and introduced charges anyway. I fear this is a similar meaningless consultation. I am totally opposed to the planned closures and urge residents to make their voices heard to tell this out-of-touch and arrogant council exactly what they think.”