Tip closure sparks fury

Moves to close Cannock's tip to the public for two days a week have left district councillors furious.

From next month the household recycling centre in Lichfield Road will be shut on Mondays and Tuesdays. Residents are being urged to use kerbside recycling instead.

But Cannock Chase district councillor Phil Freeman said the county council – which owns the tip – should look at selling off property to realise funds before cutting back on services.

He said: "The county is cash strapped, but they've got so much property lying around. If you look around Cannock there is a lot that is owned by the county council.

"They should look at selling off some property rather than cutting down on services."

Fellow district councillor Clive Morgan said: "I don't think it's a good idea, but it's the county council trying to save money.

"Now on the days when it is open you won't be able to get near the place, there is always a queue as it is."

Elizabeth Partington, aged 60, who lives in Lichfield Road, said: "Our concern would be it might encourage fly-tipping."

The county council's cabinet member for economic development and sustainable communities Councillor John Wakefield said mid-week recycling centres were "really getting slow".

But figures for 2007 show 800 cars visited Poplars Landfill on average on Mondays and around 700 on Tuesdays.

Councillor Wakefield said: "Recycling and reducing waste pays dividends for the tax payer, with the refocusing of the operations set to release £380,000.

He added using doorstep recycling schemes was the way ahead. The two-day closure will come into effect on March 31.