Councillors on Sheffield City Council are demanding a change in policy as problems persist at Blackstock Road recycling centre.

Liberal Democrat councillors are tabling a motion at the next monthly meeting of the Council, on Wednesday 3rd October, calling on the Council to think again.

In June, council figures revealed that Blackstock Road, which was hit worst by planned reductions in opening hours, has the highest tonnage of Sheffield’s five recycling centres. The policy was branded as unfair by Liberal Democrat councillors, as the less popular site in Labour’s ‘favoured areas’ remains open seven days a week.

Queues of more than 100 cars were reported outside the site over the summer, causing serious concerns for road safety. Ongoing strikes by workers, which are currently suspended, and a move to fortnightly bin collections has only worsened the situation.

Local Liberal Democrats claim anecdotal evidence has demonstrated a rise in fly-tipping.

With no sign of improvement at the site, local Liberal Democrat councillors are now demanding the Council re-think the policy.

Cllr Ian Auckland, local Liberal Democrat councillor for Graves Park is proposing the motion. He said:

“Blackstock Road provides an essential service for people in the south and south-west of the city and is clearly the most popular site in the city.

“It’s completely unacceptable that the Labour Council have treated these residents unfairly, denying them the service that they rightly expect. At the same-time, we’re seeing a rise in fly-tipping across our treasured green spaces.

“What’s more, it’s been made quite clear that no effort has been made to lessen the effect on people who regularly use the site. Local residents have been told to like it or lump it.”