Councillor says new waste recycling rules will cause '˜complete chaos'

The aftermath of the changes to Bognor and Chichester's waste recycling sites will be '˜chaotic', according to a district and county councillor.
Lib Dems' Francis Oppler.LA1500090-10 SUS-150414-223607008Lib Dems' Francis Oppler.LA1500090-10 SUS-150414-223607008
Lib Dems' Francis Oppler.LA1500090-10 SUS-150414-223607008

Liberal democrat councillor for Bognor East, Francis Oppler, has spoken out with his concerns about the rules set to be introduced from Saturday, October 1.

He said: “It is going to be complete chaos next week – people will be turning up when the tip is closed, throwing rubbish out the window and increased fly tipping.

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“Members of the public are being doubly hit by this decision, they already pay for this service through their council tax and now they are facing more charges.

“Not only that but the staff who work there have had their hours cut and losing money as well as getting abuse from the public.”

The opening hours at the Shripney and Westhampnett sites will be reduced to 10am to 8pm five days a week in the summer, and 10am to 5pm in the winter.

Eight of the 11 sites will have their opening days cut, including Bognor Regis’ HWRS which will be closed on Thursdays and Fridays.

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Other changes include an introduction of a £4 charge for the disposal of non-household waste, such as soil, hard-core, DIY and plasterboard.

Residents have also voiced concerns, branding the decision as ‘short-sighted’.

Lena Richards-Laird said: “Let the fly-tipping begin – I think the council will be spending more money cleaning up the increased fly-tipping sites now they’ve introduced these new rules.”

Damien Cornwell agreed: “What a silly idea to start charging to dispose certain types of waste.

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“Give it a few weeks and every country lane in the area will have piles of rubbish lining it.”

Despite WSCC’s reassurance that fly-tipping levels will be monitored by an enforcement team, members of the public argue that it won’t be enough.

Toni Hyde said: “West Sussex County Council you are meant to be encouraging recycling.

“Whilst we may understand the budget is small, charging people will increase fly tipping which you will have to clean up anyway.

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“It will ruin our countryside and have an impact on tourism – what are you thinking?”

Adrian Karn said: “This is so short sighted from WSCC, we are soon all going to be living in a rubbish tip as fly tipping fills our rural lanes and commercial bins every where will need CCTV and locks.

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