Election candidate and MP call for council to abandon threat over recycling centre closures
A Conservative election candidate is calling on a council not to close two recycling centres as part of cost-cutting measures.
Stuart Anderson, the current MP for Wolverhampton South West will be standing to replace long-standing Shropshire MP Philip Dunne at the next general election.
Mr Anderson will be contesting the newly-created 'South Shropshire' constituency, which replaces the 'Ludlow' constituency.
The Conservative has now spoken out over worries about the future of the Craven Arms and Bridgnorth Household Recycling Centre.
The move comes as Mr Anderson's own party colleagues who run Shropshire Council have proposed closing two of the county recycling centres to save money.
Mr Anderson convened a meeting with Mr Dunne, Conservative Shropshire Councillor David Evans and the Chair of Craven Arms Town Council David Mills to discuss the issue, and its potential impact on the community.
The concerns include an increase in fly-tipping.
Mr Anderson has also launched a survey on his website to gauge people's opinions on the issue.
He said: “There is a real possibility that closing this recycling centre could have disastrous consequences for the local environment.
"The centre in Craven Arms is the only one in south-west Shropshire.
"Forcing locals to take a 50 mile round trip to get rid of waste could lead to an outbreak in fly tipping.
"One of my key priorities is to protect the countryside so I am in total opposition to any plans to close these recycling centres."
Philip Dunne MP said: "It is vital that communities have access to nearby recycling centres, particularly in rural areas where many already have to travel far in order to responsibly dispose of their waste.
"The council must think again in their efforts to reduce costs. I welcome all the people who have already made their voice heard and hope that together we can encourage the Council to keep these recycling centres open.”
The survey can be found at https://southshropshire.stuartanderson.org.uk/save-our-recycling-centres
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