Hampshire waste and recycling sites face opening hours cuts

Hayling Island's household waste recycling centre is one site being considered for closure

Waste and recycling sites across Hampshire could close or have their opening times cut to save money.

Hampshire County Council is reviewing the use of its 24 household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) in a bid to save up to £1.55m.

The authority said it was "no longer feasible to deliver services at the same level".

A consultation on the proposals closes on 25 May, with a final decision expected to be made later in the year.

The consultation includes the possibility of reducing opening hours at the sites by up to two days or keeping just one site per district.

It also asks people for their views on closing up to 12 of the sites but the locations are yet to be revealed by the council.

Fly-tipping fear

The sites are currently open seven days a week.

Residents across the county have started campaigns to save their site.

One online petition against the possible closure of the tip on Hayling Island has collected 5,500 signatures.

Residents claim the site closure would result in fly-tipping, as people would face a round trip off the island of at least an hour to use the nearest centre.

Councillor Rob Humby, member for Environment and Transport, said: "The consultation is asking for views on a range of options that could be applied to all of Hampshire's 24 HWRCs.

"No decisions will be made until the consultation has finished, all the responses have been analysed and I have very carefully considered all the evidence.

"The consultation is a genuine opportunity for Hampshire residents to have their say on how we can establish a financially sustainable service for the whole county for the future."