Farron launches campaign to save Grange, Ambleside and Kirkby Stephen recycling centres

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has launched a campaign with local Liberal Democrat councillors calling on Cumbria County Council to think again about their plans to close six recycling centres.

Following widespread anger at the closures, Cumbria County Council has launched a consultation to close six household waste recycling centres across the county, including Millom, Ambleside, Kirkby Stephen and Grange. The plan is being proposed by the Conservative-Labour alliance that runs the County Council.

Tim is asking local residents to fill in the consultation online: http://www.opinionsuite.com/cumbria/cumbria-county-council/environment/hwrc or to write to the Conservative leader of Cumbria County Council Eddie Martin letting him know their concerns over his plans.

Local councillor Heidi Halliday from Ambleside has launched a petition to ask the county council to think again about their plans. The petition can be signed here: http://councilportal.cumbria.gov.uk/mgePetitionListDisplay.aspx

Recently over 100 people joined the Kirkby Stephen protest to the councils plans to close the centre there led by county councillor Peter Thornton.

Commenting, Tim said: "It's an absolute disgrace that the Council has known about the need to save money for over a year now but has left it this late to give local residents a say. This consultation is a sham, with a deliberately unrealistic timeframe and poor execution."

Our community needs these services. The council can find two million pounds for external consultants but can't find the funds to keep recycling centres open. It is yet another example of the priorities of Cumbria County Council - it is time they put the community first!"

Commenting further, Heidi Halliday added: "Our recycling centre provides a vital service, not only for Ambleside and Grasmere, but the surrounding rural communities. I find it ludicrous that Cumbria County Council are proposing to close the one recycling centre situated within the Lake District National Park.

"At a time when we are actively encouraging people to recycle, the proposal to close the Recycling Centre simply does not make sense and will simply result in more and more items suitable for recycling going to the landfill. It seems that yet again, rural locations are seen as easy targets by Cumbria County Council when looking to save money, when in fact more should be done to protect our rural communities"