Market Drayton and Woore residents have expressed outrage this week at Shropshire Council’s decision to scrap a community skip service which has served the area for 20 years.
At a meeting last Wednesday, council cabinet members voted to axe the service despite fears that it will lead to widespread fly-tipping across the county.
The decision, which took effect on April 1, means that skips and waste compactor lorries will no longer be provided at sites, including Market Drayton’s Beacon Community Centre, Woore Victory Hall and Hodnet Social Club.
Residents have been urged to write to Shropshire Council in protest at the decision and the issue is expected to be discussed at the next Market Drayton Local Joint Committee meeting in Hinstock next month.
George Edwards, chairman of the Beacon Community Centre’s board of management, said: “Lots of residents have complained about the decision and we did think at one time of getting a petition going.
“But it seemed to be signed and sealed by the council so we thought it was pointless trying to do it.
“The annoying part about it is there has been no consultation with residents and we’re being treated like young children.
“The service had been going for such a long time and a lot of people haven’t got any transport, so don’t have the means of getting rid of their waste.”
Shropshire councillors fighting to save the service have started moves this week to have the cabinet’s decision reviewed by a committee which monitors how council decisions are reached.
Chris Jeffries, chairman of the Pipe Gate Residents Association, said: “We’re appalled at the lack of communication and consultation and it brings into question how a cabinet of 10 members can make a decision on behalf of all 74 Shropshire councillors.
“Residents in Pipe Gate and Woore who I’ve informed of the decision are extremely upset and I’ve encouraged them to write directly to the Leader of Shropshire Council Keith Barrow and chief executive Kim Ryley.”
The council hopes the move will save around £47,000 a year and encourage more people to use its household recycling centre in Whitchurch.
Councillor Barrow said: “We are happy to encourage local solutions to disposing of waste and communities can look for other sources of funding, including town and parish councils, if people want to keep the service.”
By Winston Brown