Plans to reduce the opening hours of Hertfordshire’s recycling centres are one step closer to being accepted.

Members of the Hertfordshire County Council’s highways and waste management panel met today to approve plans to reduce the opening hours of the county’s 17 recycling centres.

The cabinet meeting, held at County Hall in Hertford, outlined the results of the public consultation held between June 16 and August 3 regarding suggesting changes to the recycling services in the county.

Under proposals put forward by new contractor, Amey Cespa, Elstree recycling centre in Allum Lane was ear marked for closure.

However, the motion put forward today from councillor Terry Douris rejected the need to close the site after 56 per cent of people who responded to the consultation felt that closing both Elstree and Hoddesdon was unreasonable.

Of the 5,064 completed consultations, 33 per cent were from users of the Elstree site – while common areas of concern included worries that other sites in the county, such as Potters Bar, would be unable to cope with the increase in users should the two sites be forced to close.

Councillor Morris Bright presented his petition to the panel, which was created with cllr Harvey Cohen and received more than 2,000 signatures.

Cllr Leon Reefe, a cabinet panel member, said: “We in the Labour group have always supported the notion that none of the sites should close.

“We are very pleased that this is now coming to a conclusion in the right matter.”

Panel members voted unanimously to accept cllr Douris’ proposals, which mean that the Elstree site will open from 8am to 4pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 9am to 4pm at the weekends.

Cllrs Reefe and Bright will now speak to council officers to discuss the possibility of later opening hours in the summer months.

Cllr Douris said: “I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond to our consultation on AmeyCespa’s proposals. We promised all along that we would listen to our residents and that no decisions had been made, which is reflected in today’s recommendations.

“The consultation responses have confirmed that residents are, in particular, reluctant to see any site closed. In light of this, the Panel has recommended that no site is closed entirely.” 

The plans will now be put before the Cabinet on Monday afternoon to ultimately accept or reject the motion.