Fly-tipping fears over Deans centre closure
Plans to close the recycling f a c i l i t y at Deans in Livingston have been met with dismay by people who worry it will lead to an increase in fly-tipping.
The centre at Nairn Road is closing and its services and staff will move to the council’s Whitehill depot at Bathgate.
Council bosses hope centralising the services will reduce costs and improve efficiency.
But people living near the Deans depot fear people will simply dump their rubbish nearby.
John Duncan, who lives at Middlewood Park, said he is certain there will be an increase in fly-tipping.
He said: “People living in Deans are now going to have to travel a couple of miles to get to the nearest tip at the Lizzie Bryce roundabout or at Blackburn.
“I don’t think they’ll do it and what about those without cars?
“The council goes on and on about recycling so why take away a recycling plant?
“This will just lead to an increase in fly-tipping in the area.”
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said services and staff currently based at Deans would be transferred to the new Whitehill Service Centre in Bathgate, which aims to bring all the depots into a central location to reduce costs and increase working efficiency.
He continued: “The council is currently in the process of vacating all our premises at Nairn Road in Deans, Livingston, which includes Fleet and Waste services, as well as community recycling centre (CRC). Further information on the closure date for the Deans CRC site and other changes will be publicised shortly.
“We are current l y considering proposals for a new dedicated West Lothian commercial recycling centre to increase recycling rates, which would see all commercial traders with permits only be able to take their waste to Whitehill.
“Local residents can still use our other five local recycling centres in Blackburn, Broxburn, Oakbank in Livingston, Linlithgow and Whitburn.
“For more details, please visit www.westlothian.gov. uk/local-recycling-centres.”