Thousands respond to controversial plans to close Marchwood waste recycling centre

Almost 12,000 people took part in a public consultation by the county council on plans to review Hampshire's recycling facilities.

Under the proposals council waste chiefs plan to close up to 12 sites, cut opening hours and reduced the number of days a week they are open.

The proposals have angered some communities across the county.

Last month a 2,500 name petition was handed to the council calling for Marchwood waste recycling centre to be spared the axe.

The site is used by almost 200,000 people a year and campaigners feared that closure could increase fly-tipping.

The consultation, which ran from March 16 to May 25, was launched after the county council said savings were needed due to cuts in Government funding.

According to the council the proposals would affect 24 recycling centres in Hampshire saving up to £1.55 million a year.

The options being considered by the council are: Reducing the opening hours at all sites by one hour a day Closing all sites one day a week Closing all sites two days a week Reduced opening hour in the winter Reduced weekend opening Closing between four, eight and 12 sites The cut backs are part of a £98 million package of savings the county says it has to make by April next year.

The final decision on the fate of the recycling centres will be made Executive Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Rob Humby on July 22.

He said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation. All the responses will now be carefully analysed, alongside the other data and evidence we have for each individual site.

“We know that the HWRCs are well thought of and well used by people in Hampshire, and I think the number of responses we received reinforces this point. The feedback we have is extremely useful, and will help us to shape the changes that will need to be made to establish a financially sustainable model for the whole of Hampshire, for the future.”