Somerset recycling fees blamed for 'rise' over border

Claims have been made that people in Somerset are recycling in neighbouring counties to avoid paying fees.

Centres in Dorset and Wiltshire have noticed an influx in numbers after last month's introduction of charges in four of Somerset's centres.

Charges were brought in following £2m cuts to the Somerset Waste Partnership.

Trevor Tuck, manager at Warminster recycling centre said: "Somerset are not taking into account their neighbouring council."

Residents 'migrate'

He added: "Since Somerset introduced their charges we've noticed a steady increase in people using our recycling centres."

Steve Burdis, director of Dorset Waste Partnership said: "We have noticed an increase in the number of site users at Sherborne household recycling centre (HRC).

"This is typical at this time of year, so we are currently monitoring this situation."

Tony Knowles, who runs Sherborne recycling centre on behalf of Dorset County Council, said the centre had witnessed an increase in the number of Somerset users.

He said: "It's only natural if one local authority implements charges close to the border of another local authority, tax payers and residents will migrate."

A spokesman for Somerset Waste Partnership said they had not received any figures about the suggested increase.