MP Helen Whatley’s bid to save Faversham Recycling Centre amid closures

A Kent MP has launched a petition to keep a local rubbish tip open.

MP Helen Whately (Con) is bidding to save the Faversham tip after the recycling centre was earmarked for closure.

There are three options on the table. One option is fo recycling centres in Dartford, Faversham, Maidstone (Tovil) and at Richborough near Sandwichwould all shut permanently.

Alternative proposals include just three of these sites closing– but this would mean 10 other tips also shutting for two days a week.

Faversham is earmarked to close in all three options.

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If all four sites are shut, it would mean almost 12,000 people no longer being within a 20-minute drive of a recycling centre, which goes against the advice of climate experts.

Yesterday MP Whatley launched her bid to save the Faversham site.

She posted online: “Save our tip!

“I’m petitioning to save Faversham’s tip from closure. If you don’t want to lose this service locally, sign up here to make your voice heard.”

On Wednesday, May 17, Dartford Borough Council Leader Jeremy Kite launched his bid to keep the rubbish tip open, as it is the only one in the entire borough.

He stated: “I’m surprised by the response to it. It’s gone up to 1,500 in just slightly more than 24 hours. I think this shows the depth of support for the waste recycling centre at Dartford.

“I do understand that KCC needs to save money and I am supportive of that. I voted for the budget back in February, so I understand the need to save money, but I think the savings have to be done fairly and equitably.”

If all four sites were to shut, this would result in a total reduction of 13,920 slots available per week.

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If three were to shut, with 10 others closed two days a week, this would result in a reduction of just over 20,000 slots per week.

KCC’s cabinet member for environment, Susan Carey, said: “The budget for 2023/24 agreed by KCC councillors in February identified the need to save £55 million this year from spending reductions and increased income to balance the budget.

“These savings are necessary to balance the books as the cost of services KCC provides has risen by more than £200 million.

“As part of these savings, we are having to make some very challenging decisions about where we can offer our services in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible.

“A report on KCC’s Household Waste Recycling Centre network will be discussed by the Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee on May with a proposal that a public consultation should take place to gather the views of residents and wider stakeholders.

“No decisions will be made until all options and feedback from the consultation have been considered.”