STOCKTON Heath Recycling Centre has been earmarked for closure, the Warrington Guardian understands.

The town’s three community recycling centres (CRCs) are located in Stockton Heath, on Sandy Lane, Gatewarth, on Barnard Street, and Woolston, on New Cut Lane.

The village site was saved in 2014 following a huge public outcry over plans to shut it.

Last July, the authority said there were 'currently no plans' to close it but admitted that it was looking at 'saving options'.

And the Warrington Guardian understands the tip has been earmarked for closure, with the matter due to come before the executive board as early as next month.

A council spokesman said: "Officers are currently reviewing the CRC provision within the borough, the results of which will be presented to a future executive board meeting."

The borough's waste strategy task group, which provides advice to the executive board, met last month but the CRCs were not on the agenda, or discussed.

Cllr Brian Axcell (LD – Appleton) said the Sandy Lane site 'is crucial for south Warrington and should be kept open'.

He added: "Local Liberal Democrat councillors would oppose any future moves to close the Sandy Lane waste recycling centre.

"The absence of a site south of the ship canal would inevitably lead to a reduction in recycling because many residents would be put off from battling through traffic to the far side of the town in order to reach a recycling centre.

"Traffic across town would be increased by those who did drive to Gatewarth or Woolston."

In 2014, the council's executive board approved plans which would have seen the Stockton Heath centre close.

But, following a four-week consultation with residents on a borough-wide strategy to improve recycling, it was announced that it would stay open.