On January 16 the Parish Council was shocked to learn from County Councillor Francis Whetstone that East Sussex County Council plans to close Forest Row’s recycling facility.
Tony Lewin, Green Party Parish Councillor leapt into action with other members of the community. Together we’ve started a campaign to show the County Council the importance of the site to people in Forest Row.
In a week more than 4000 people signed petitions – many of them visitors to the busy waste site on 20 January, where Tony and others met and spoke to them. Every user opposed the closure.
We’re appalled at the Council’s short-sighted decision. It doesn’t even make sense!
- Our recycling centre is very heavily used.
- It makes money from recyclable waste.
- It earns money and saves waste by selling used furniture and goods.
- Closing it will lead to more fly-tipping, and car journeys to other tips.
- We fear the effect on the Ashdown Forest from fly-tipping and traffic pollution.
Tony Lewin has asked Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas MP to help. She is writing to the Treasury about the effect of Government cuts on local communities - and we hope she'll include the planned closure of our site in her letter. Tony Lewin and other Wealden Green Party members plan to go with her to deliver the letter on 28 February.
We'll be fighting this closure every step of the way. Recycling is extremely important to all of us, so watch this space!
