‘Taxpayers will end up suffering’

Councillors call for compromise over HWRC decision

“They’re penalising domestic people who want to do the best for their community and for the future of the planet.”

Mr Sanders pointed out that the northern part of Hampshire was already badly served by the county council in relation to recycling centres and said that Hampshire and West Berks should be “ashamed” of their inability to find a solution benefitting the residents.

Mr Sanders said: “The man from Mars would find it clear stupidity for residents to be forced to make 30- to 40-mile round trips to dispose of waste when an HWRC is on their doorstep.

“It is bureaucratic madness that drives a coach and horses through any policy to reduce emissions.

“It is equally financially incompetent of West Berkshire to imagine that when the HCC subsidy is withdrawn, they are somehow going to make £175,000 of savings.

“How many redundancies will there need to be at Newtown Road to recover the lost revenue?

“Neither council emerges from this ridiculous stand-off covered in glory, but it is the council taxpayers in both Hampshire and West Berkshire who will finish up suffering.”