I WAS interested to read the letter in the Warrington Guardian from Mr Slater about the chaos and delays he experienced at one of the council’s recycling centres after Christmas.

I had a similar experience, a few days ago, at the Sandy Lane, Stockton Heath recycling centre when only one of the crushers was working.

When the green waste crusher broke down in the autumn last year, operatives told us that repair could be take some time as spares were difficult to come by. In fact the crusher was back in action very soon.

However, as the local councillor who helped stop the closure of the Sandy Lane tip last year, by calling in the council’s decision for further scrutiny, I was naturally concerned that incidents like this might be allowed to gradually undermine this facility.

Having spoken to council officers, I have been reassured that the recent problem was a one off, and having only one crusher operating is most unusual.

Everyone in Stockton Heath and Appleton knows that the Labour council wanted to close Sandy Lane to save money and was only prevented from doing so by the strength of the public protest.

We must make sure the tip we saved last year is not allowed deteriorate to the point where it is no longer viable to keep it open.

CLLR PETER WALKER
Borough councillor for Appleton