A BATTLE has begun to save Sugden End household waste recycling centre from closure.

The Cross Roads facility is among three such sites in the Bradford district earmarked to shut.

Cash-strapped Bradford Council, which is facing a £72 million overspend this year, has put forward the proposal as part of a sweeping range of cost-cutting measures.

But Worth Valley councillor Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the Conservative group on the council, describes the proposed move as "short-sighted and poorly thought out".

"Sugden End is a well-used facility that covers the largest rural area in the district," she says.

"Rural fly-tipping is a major local issue and any proposal to close household waste recycling centres such as Sugden End is likely to lead to an increase in the problem.

"Fly-tipping not only affects the look of the area, but it impacts on wildlife and has a cost to the council to clear it from sites such as Penistone Hill.

"These proposals have no budget increase for the cost of clearing and prosecuting fly-tipping, and any saving in closing Sugden End will soon be spent on fly-tipping issues.

"The nearest alternative household waste recycling centre, in Keighley, entails a 12-mile round trip from the centre of the Worth Valley and a lot further from outer areas.

"Also, the Keighley site is not permitted to open on a Saturday afternoon due to planning conditions, so this proposal would also mean there's nowhere in Keighley and Ilkley to take your recycling and rubbish on a Saturday afternoon – a peak time for users of these facilities.

"I would urge all residents to support our campaign locally to keep Sugden End open and to submit your comments into the budget consultation when it opens next week."

The Ford Hill household waste recycling centre at Queensbury and Golden Butts in Ilkley are also earmarked for closure.