A SIX-WEEK consultation on the future of Stockton Heath Recycling Centre has been launched.

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 but it now faces another battle, with the public being asked to have their say.

The current budget for the operation of the three CRCs is £854,854, which includes disposal and management fee haulage costs.

However, the cost of operating these sites in 2017-18 was £1,149,110 – an overspend of £294,256.

The council is moving ahead with modernisation plans for Gatewarth and Woolston, with a combined investment of around £1.7 million approved.

However, it believes the ‘size and access restrictions’ at the Stockton Heath facility, together with the impact on immediate neighbours, mean that it would be ‘challenging’ to carry out upgrades to the site.

In addition, it says the levels of general waste received in the village have decreased by more than 30 percent over the last three years, with the average cost per tonne of operating the site double that of Gatewarth and Woolston.

The consultation will include a range of questions around the most frequently used sites, the types of waste recycled, value for money and potential alternative locations for a recycling centre in south Warrington.

All comments received will ‘feed into’ the authority’s recommendations.

Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive board member for the environment, said: “It’s vital that we operate an efficient, value for money and fit for purpose recycling service, which fully complies with current legislation.

“Warrington residents are recycling well – and we want to continue to support this through the modernisation of the service.

“It’s great news that we are moving forward with our investment plans for Gatewarth and Woolston recycling centres.

“However, it’s also important that we understand the public’s views on waste recycling provision at the existing Stockton Heath site.

“I’d urge everyone who would like to have a say on the future of the site to get involved in the consultation.

“All responses will be taken on board and carefully considered, together with factors such as affordability and practicality.”