'Deep concern' from Shifnal Town Council after residents banned from using Telford tips
The council has raised the issue after its residents were banned from using the sites.
A town council says it is “deeply concerned” after its residents were banned from using tips in nearby Telford.
Telford & Wrekin Council confirmed that as of this month it is stopping people living outside the borough from using its recycling centres. Anyone visiting the Hortonwood or Halesfield recycling centres will be asked to show proof they live in Telford and Wrekin.
The issue is likely to impact on Shifnal residents, who have a TF postcode but will now face a 23-mile round trip to Bridgnorth’s recycling centres, instead of being able to use the Telford & Wrekin Council-run Halesfield site just 3.2 miles away.
It has sparked protests from MP for The Wrekin Mark Pritchard, who represents residents in Shifnal.
Now Shifnal Town Council has also voiced its own concerns and called for an agreement between Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council over access to the recycling centres.
In a statement Councillor Paul Williamson, mayor of Shifnal, said the move would lead to unnecessary journeys and an increased risk of fly tipping.
He said: “Shifnal Town Council is deeply concerned by the recent decision taken by Telford and Wrekin Council to restrict access to nearby recycling centres for residents of Shropshire, including those in Shifnal.
“This change places an unfair burden on our community, requiring residents to undertake return journeys of up to an hour to facilities in Bridgnorth or Shrewsbury simply to dispose of household waste responsibly.
“While Telford & Wrekin Council has restricted access to its services for its own residents, who contribute through their council tax, a common-sense approach would be to allow residents of Shifnal and surrounding areas to continue using these facilities through a mutual agreement between Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council.
“The wider implications of increased pollution from unnecessary car journeys, along with the heightened risk of fly-tipping, should in themselves be sufficient to bring both councils together to reach a practical and cooperative solution.
“Shifnal Town Council has formally written to our Member of Parliament, Mark Pritchard, urging him to work collaboratively with both councils to find a practical and fair solution for the residents of Shifnal and the surrounding areas.
“In addition, we are calling on our three Shropshire councillors to actively lobby Shropshire Council on behalf of our community to ensure that residents are not disproportionately impacted by this decision.
“The town council is also exploring short-term options to help provide a practical and workable solution for residents while longer-term discussions take place.
“We remain committed to standing up for our community and will continue to press for a sensible resolution that supports residents in managing their household waste responsibly without unnecessary hardship.”
Telford & Wrekin Council said it had taken the move to reduce the financial burden on its residents, with a review concluding that 30,000 people had used the tips from outside the borough.
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