A RECYCLING centre near Bridgwater could be closed down in an effort to cut costs.

Somerset County Council has asked the board of Somerset Waste Partnership to save over £2million over the next four years, with a minimum save of £711,900 in 2014/15.

SCC and SWP have drawn up cost-cutting plans which include closing Middlezoy Community Recycling site from this April, with a saving of £350k.

The proposed action, which forms part of the partnership’s business plan for 2014 to 2019, would mean using some of the savings to restore seven-day opening at Saltlands recycling centre in Bridgwater.

Steve Reed, managing director of SWP, said: “The Middlezoy centre actually contributes less than 1% of visits compared to the whole network.

“Although we would be closing a community facility, it would result in increased hours at other more well used sites.”

The idea was presented at a meeting of Sedgemoor District Council’s executive committee this morning (January 22).

Cllr Mike Caswell said at the meeting: “There is already a problem with people flytipping rubbish near the gates of the Middlezoy centre.

“I also think the prices people are asked to pay when depositing some materials at these centres is putting people off using them.”

But Reed said CCTV at the Middlezoy site will continue to be in operation for a while if the centre does close.

The decision to approve the partnership’s proposals was deferred to the next executive meeting on February 12, while a task and finish group is set up to examine them further.

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