Petition launched to save Tovil recycling centre from closure

Don’t close our tip, is the message from the Green Party.

Activists have launched an online petition in protest at the potential closure of the waste transfer station in Burial Ground Lane, Tovil, near Maidstone.

The petition to save the recycling centre, which can be signed here, has already received more than 600 signatures in just two days.

Green campaigner Claire Kehily, from Coxheath, said: “The fly tipping around the area is already awful and the closure of the recycling centre will simply make it worse.”

“Getting to the Allington recycling centre – the nearest alternative – from this side of town involves struggling through one of the most congested areas in the county. People simply won’t make that trip.”

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The leader of Maidstone Greens, Cllr Stuart Jeffery said, “We need to make sure people can recycle household waste easily.

“Closing the Tovil site, or any site, is a real backward step and will lead to more waste crime. I really do wonder if the Conservatives on Kent County Council actually care about fly tipping?”

The Maidstone Liberal Democrat Group is also against any closure or reduction of opening hours at Tovil.

Cllr Brian Clark (Lib Dem) said “the curse” of fly tipping could explode if the Conservative administration continued with its plans to slash £1.5m from the household waste centre budget over the next two years.

A paper to be considered by KCC’s environment committee this week sets out three opitions: two involve closing the Tovil Tip, the third would close it for two days a week.

Lib Dem campaigner Chris Passmore said: “With increased housing across Maidstone and our roads already struggling to cope with the volume of traffic, the Tories’ decision to remove or downgrade this essential element of local infrastructure once again shows their inability to understand the needs of residents.”

The Lib Dems have set up their own petition which can signed here.

Other communities in other parts of Kent that have a tip threatened by closure are also resisting the move.

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In Dartford, the Conservative council leader, Cllr Jeremy Kite, has lauched his own petition, that has already garnered more than 2,800 signatures, while in Faversahm, a petition has also been launched by the Faversham and Mid Kent Conservative MP, Helen Whately.

KCC councillors are due to make their decision on Tuesday night.