‘Devastating consequences’ for Loxwood if Billingshurst tip closes

A campaign to save Billingshurst tip from closure is being backed by people in Loxwood.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

West Sussex County Council announced in November that it was considering shutting two of its 11 household waste and recycling sites to save money.

Fears that the Billingshurst rubbish tip could be one of them led Horsham and Crawley Liberal Democrats to fight to keep it open with a Save The Tip petition - already backed by thousands of people.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And it’s led to growing concerns in Loxwood. Gareth Evans, Chichester district Lib Dem councillor for Loxwood said: “The closure of the Billinghurst tip would also have devastating consequences for people in Loxwood ward for which this is our closest tip available.

Gareth EvansGareth Evans
Gareth Evans

“Losing our local tips could mean more fly-tipping right at a time when we should be encouraging more recycling to protect the environment and our rural areas.

“Since the end of November many Loxwood ward residents have been in touch worried about the consequences of potential cuts to county services so it is my duty to voice those concerns before a decision is made.

“lt is also time that West Sussex County Council puts their money where their mouth is. Last July, the county council voted in favour of an amendment to make climate change an overarching theme through all their decision-making, but closing local tips would send the opposite message.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Of course we do understand that nobody is to blame for the catastrophic consequences that Covid-19 has had in the economy, or on the pressure that it has added to services.

“However, let’s not forget that in recent years the Conservative-led county council has been in different financial issues and services polemics, for example the money that the previous CEO was paid while away from his duties or the big settlement check that he got when he left because of the expenses and children services scandals.

“All of that happened way before Covid-19, all of that contributed to put WSCC in the situation they find themselves in now and it is not fair for taxpayers - or the environment - to pick up the tab for the county council failures.”

A final decision on which tips – if any – will close will be made in February.

See https://www.horshamlibdems.org.uk/savethetip?recruiter_id=2155&fbclid=IwAR0amzniu3iMOLCiCH-hir-QlkSbA_LS5qbCeH6jtJIoar94XDu7xehFORQ