Councillors have been asked to oppose plans to shut down a popular recycling centre - but it will still close for two days a week.

A consultation was launched earlier this year recommending the closure of the Elstree recycling centre in Allum Lane.

But the proposal is due to be thrown out by Hertfordshire County Council after overwhelming opposition.

More than 5,000 recyclers across the county signed the consultation, with 33 per cent of those responding from Elstree and the surrounding areas.

A total of 2,036 also signed a petition launched by councillors Morris Bright and Harvey Cohen to keep the recycling centre open.

A paper is now being produced for the council's highways and waste management panel that will make the recommendation to keep all 17 sites across the county open, but with reduced opening hours.

The paper will discuss the proposals on September 18 before it is put to the full council at a later date.

Hertsmere Borough Council leader Cllr Morris Bright said: “This is a great moment for Elstree and Borehamwood. There was a large concern that this was a done deal and that Elstree would close, but we have all come together without politics and worked to ensure that the message of how important this recycling centre is got through to council officers.”

The plan is to keep the centre open for 40 hours a week, closing it on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Sites across the county will have their opening hours reduced, with the Elstree site opening from 8am until 4pm.

Cllr Harvey Cohen said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to sign the petition online and fill out the consultation. I would also like to particularly thank the members of EBRA who came out day after day to ensure that people found out about the plans to close the site.”

Cllr Caroline Clapper added: “This proves that if people speak up they will be listened to. What was so positive about this consultation was the sheer volume of responses that came from this area.”

Members of the residents association EBRA say they are very pleased and are looking forward to hearing the final say on the issue.

EBRA member Sue Alford said: “We did so much printing of flyers and stuff so I am enthralled by this decision. Common sense has definitely prevailed here for the residents of Borehamwood and Elstree.

“I’m very pleased.”

The plans will be debated by the highways and waste management panel on September 18.