County Cllr Julie Gibson, the Labour Group Shadow spokesperson for Economic Development, Environment and Planning has called on the Conservative led administration at Lancashire County Council to think again about the proposal to reduce the service provision at the Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Two of them are in West Lancashire; Burscough and Skelmersdale under current proposals could face a reduction in hours.

Yesterday, she told QLocal: "I know first hand how popular these are with local residents and how helpful and necessary the staff are. The suggestion to limit the time to Monday – Friday 9-5 will have a serious impact on people who work during these times. The weekend is the time when a lot of people use the facility because they can take the time out to get there. There is also the added impact that the reduction in staffing could result in longer waiting times for people who are able to get there during these times.”

She continued: “With the limit in times and the staff available there is the very real worry that this might lead to increase in fly-tipping across the County. Whilst I am sure that most people are responsible with their waste we need to realise the real possibility that lack of access to waste facilities may heighten an issue that at the moment is already a matter of concern to some of our Borough and District colleagues.

The Conservatives at LCC voted these cuts through, despite a Labour amendment asking them not to.

Cllr Gibson concluded: “There is a real risk to our environment in West Lancashire if we reduce the operational times of the two centres in our Borough. I would urge people in West Lancashire to respond to the consultation and oppose this cut.”