A WASTE recycling centre for public use in Great Dunmow has been pulled after a council admitted that it does not have the cash to continue with the project.

But nearby residents will still have to put up with other town’s rubbish travelling past their doors after it was announced that a bulking and transfer station will still go ahead.

The entire centre was earmarked for the Hoblongs Estate next to the Travelodge hotel and was also due to include vital road improvements and a household recycling centre - but those aspects have been binned.

Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste Tracey Chapman said: “Current financial circumstances mean we can no longer justify a new waste and recycling centre in Dunmow.

“This decision was based on the fact that we already have exceptional waste and recycling rates in Uttlesford and there are two nearby centres for householders to recycle their waste, including a brand new site at Springwood Drive in Braintree.

“Essex County Council remains fully committed to working in partnership with Uttlesford District Council to increase recycling rates in Uttlesford.

“Despite this decision, a proposal to develop a transfer station on the Chelmsford Road site in Dunmow will proceed, as this is integral to the delivery of improved services for the people of Uttlesford.

“This will enable residual waste and separately collected food waste services to be operated more efficiently, reducing cost and unnecessary vehicle movements.”

The decision was taken jointly between Uttlesford District Council and ECC and is likely to upset many residents who currently have to travel to Braintree, Shalford or Saffron Walden to dispose of waste.

ECC said that significant has recently been put in at Springwood Drive in Braintree, and that centre has the capacity to accommodate users from the Dunmow area.

In addition ECC in partnership with UDC has over the last few years invested in expanding the kerbside recycling service within the district.

Chairman of UDC’s environment committee Susan Barker said: “I know that some local residents will be disappointed, but in the current economic climate we do understand the county’s decision.

“We are committed to recycling and we have two very good nearby recycling centre’s for household waste and an excellent kerbside recycling service.”

DID Dunmow need a recycling centre? E-mail us at editor@dunmow-broadcast.co.uk.