Council dump set to close (From Watford Observer)

Council dump set to close

5:28pm Thursday 6th March 2008 in News

A waste disposal site in Watford that collected more than 5,000 tonnes of rubbish in 2006/07 is earmarked for closure.

Due to lack of space and layout problems, and the proximity of other facilities within a five mile distance, the Wiggenhall Road household waste and recycling centre could shut in October, following a recommendation by Hertfordshire County Council's Waste Management Panel.

This decision follows a review by the Environment Scrutiny panel last year and extensive improvements to the Waterdale site in Garston and refurbishments to the Rickmansworth site. It will also save County Hall £115,900 each year.

Councillor Derek Scudder, Watford Borough Council's portfolio holder for environmental services and a member of the Waste Management Panel, said: "We're not happy. There's no doubt there are problems at Wiggenhall Road because of the layout but I think additional space may be possible to overcome them or significantly reduce them."

Plans to reorganise Wiggenhall Road, which had 218,000 visits in 2006/07, have been put forward in the past and Councillor Scudder said they will be discussed again, to save one of the most popular waste depots in the county.

He said: "It's a busy site, no question. It's the busiest because it's where people want it. If it was a site that nobody wanted you could say there's a case for closing it but as one of the busiest sites in the county, they should try and keep it open.

"If it closed, there's a danger that people would not go and recycle their rubbish. It's a risk not worth taking."

County Councillor Derrick Ashley, executive member for planning, external relations and waste, said: "There are many financial constraints placed upon us so it's necessary that we look to make efficiency savings wherever possible, without compromising on services. We believe that there's potential to do this by closing the site at Watford as people are able to use alternative sites at nearby Rickmansworth and Waterdale."

A notice of intent to close the Watford site, alongside one in Tring, will be published before a public consultation starts. The Waste Management Panel will consider any comments in July before a final decision is made later this year.

• What do you think? Can Watford cope without the Wiggenhall Road recycling depot? Click the comment link below to share your views.