IT has been brought to my attention that Rainford recycling centre, operated by Veolia does not intend to renew the lease on the site when it expires in September.

It is planned to let this expiry take place and close the site staring early summer. The closure of the site although welcomed by a small minority of nearby people, will leave Rainford and the other districts of North St Helens without a local and convenient recycling point.

After any closure, residents will have take a long and inconvenient journey to Newton-le-Willows Household Waste Recycling Centre, Junction Lane, or Ravenhead Household Waste Recycling in Burtonhead Road or Rainhill Household Waste Recycling Centre, Tasker Terrace to dispose of items.

Over the past year Veolia have carried out a number of ‘investment’ reorganisations one of which was the closure of the Billinge collection site and the failed attempt to site a major materials sorting plant at Sandwash Close.

An alternative location can be made available in Rainford at Lords Fold industrial area which has the potential to be a more favourable location.

If no action is taken to keep the Rainford site, people will soon realise what a major time-consuming and costly trek they will have to recycle items and as Rainford is surrounded by leafy lanes, inevitably fly tipping will become a greater nuisance.

Peter Toner, Higher Lane, Rainford.