Portsmouth rubbish dump cuts could be halted following county delay

The Port Solent site was originally due to close on a Thursday and be shut two hours less every other day of the week from the new year.

But following a decision by Hampshire County Council to delay making the same changes at its waste recycling centres until next October, Portsmouth could do the same.

A full review of all waste centres in the county was carried out so £1.55m worth of savings could be made.

A county-wide consultation of service users and the public was undertaken, which ran from March 16 to May 25 this year, via an online and paper questionnaire.

A total of 11,497 responses were received, plus a further 137 letters and five petitions against the changes.

Respondents were asked to consider whether they would be happy with; a reduction of opening days and hours, partial closure of one or more sites or a full closure of one or more sites. Hampshire has put the brakes on revised opening times due to a ‘lack of clarity’ from the government over the legality of local authorities charging for ‘DIY waste’. The delay could cost the county £600,000. Portsmouth’s decision will be made on Thursday.