Have your say on Bagshot’s Community Recycling Centre

Today marks the start of a four-week consultation on the future of the community recycling centre at Bagshot in Surrey.

Following a recent review of the operation, Surrey County Council is recommending the closure of Bagshot Community Recycling Centre (CRC) due to:   

• Condition – the site is difficult to access, unmodernised and too small to be upgraded to a modern split-level site, so it cannot be made fit for future, in line with the Council’s mid-term Waste Strategy. 
• Low usage – it is one of the county’s smallest sites for public recycling, handling just 2% (c.1,700 tonnes) of the county’s CRC waste each year.  
• Safety concerns – the site has suffered from repeated incidences of antisocial behaviour including, overnight vandalism and fly tipping. Users must also cross vehicle circulation areas to access the waste bins. 

The closure of the site is recommended on the above grounds but has not yet been confirmed by Surrey County Council’s Cabinet.

Residents are being asked about the impact a potential closure could have on them and to consider any other alternative service arrangements they would like to see going forward, such as increasing opening hours at the four nearby community recycling centres, should Bagshot be earmarked for closure.

Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure said, “We value the views of our residents and are running this consultation to ensure we can capture their feedback.

“We have a comprehensive network of CRCs across the county and there are four alternative Community Recycling Centres within 10 miles of Bagshot, with the closest being Camberley, approximately six miles away. These sites are modern, safe and all on one level, with no need to climb steps to tip waste. These sites allow access to vans and trailers, and accept more types of waste. Some sites offer additional services such as a paint reuse shop at Guildford CRC and a reuse shop at Woking CRC. 

“I encourage the local community to share their views which will help inform the Cabinet decision later in 2024.”

An online survey is available here. Paper copies of the survey are also available at Bagshot and Camberley CRCs and Libraries.

The consultation will run from today (16 September 2024) until 11 October 2024.