Letter to KM Messenger

Written by Cllr Tony Harwood on Tue 16th Feb 2010

Dear Sir

Conservative-led Maidstone Council's intent to axe the popular weekend freighter service is characteristically short-sighted. Inevitably, fly-tipping will increase with potentially disastrous consequences for our countryside, human health and wildlife. Further, the cost of removal of illegal tipping will all have to be met by Maidstone Council and thus long-suffering council tax payers. The requisite extra car trip generation to and from Tovil tip will also impact negatively upon local residential neighbourhoods.

Maidstone's Conservatives have never fully appreciated or understood the popularity of the weekend freighter service. They just see £ signs as residents are forced to turn to the Council's paid-for bulky refuse service (with prices currently ranging from a steep £17.50 to an eye watering £120 per job). I firmly believe that local people, parish councils and other amenity groups will force a u-turn on this latest Tory service-cut. I just hope that our environment, health and wildlife does not suffer too much in the interim.

Tony Harwood (Lib Dem)

Shadow Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Maidstone Borough Council