Conservative politicians have started a petition against plans to merge Forfar and Kirriemuir recycling centres into a new site at Padanaram.
Angus MP Kirstene Hair and Forfar councillor Braden Davy will submit the petition to a newly established member/officer group which is conducting a new review into the recycling arrangements in the county.
The recently-elected politicians took to the streets of Forfar to gather names for their petition, which is also available online.
The previous SNP-led Angus Council approved several controversial changes to the recycling arrangements in Angus including the closure of the skip at Monifieth and creating a new “superskip” at Padanaram to serve Forfar and Kirriemuir.
One of the first acts of the new rainbow coalition was to re-examine the recycling proposals.
The member/officer group will scrutinise the current set-up and the planned changes, with a view to bringing a fresh report to full council in early September.
Forfar councillor Braden Davy has been vocal on retaining the Forfar skip which was one of the key issues in his election campaign.
He said: “The planned closure makes no sense. It’s something I campaigned against during the local elections and will fight against in the council.
“The new administration’s 10 week delay is welcome, but they still must go further and scrap the planned merger.
“It would be costly, lead to a worse service and cause more fly-tipping as well as blight Padanaram with a huge new superskip.
“I would urge everyone who opposes these plans to sign the petition to send a clear message that it’s time to scrap the closure plans.”
People can also sign the petition at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-planned-closure-of-the-forfar-and-kirriemuir-recycling-centres
Ms Hair said that their message received a positive response from people in Forfar.
She added: “I was delighted to meet so many people who understandably are concerned about the potential loss of recycling facilities in Forfar and Kirriemuir.
“I hope that over the coming weeks residents will back this petition to keep these services local.
“Angus Council need to hear loud and clear that closure is not an option.”
The wide-ranging review could also look at the possibility of a partnership arrangement with Dundee City Council after Monifieth and Sidlaws members bemoaned the lack of local provision.
The £42,000 cost of the review was criticised by SNP group deputy leader Bill Duff.
