Weekend Freighter Service to be axed
February 16, 2010 9:26 AM
Maidstone Borough Council confirm their Intent to axe the popular Weekend Freighter Service . Plus weekly waste collection service is once again under threat.
At the Maidstone Borough Council Cabinet meeting on the 10th February, the Conservative administration signalled their intention that as part of a revised bulky waste service, the popular weekend freighter service would be withdrawn across the Borough. The Cabinet further indicated that weekly residual waste collection is once again under threat from the local Conservatives (Note: The 2006/7 Conservative-led administration at Maidstone Council had attempted to down-grade residual refuse collection to a fortnightly service but were frustrated in their plan when they were replaced by a Lib Dem-led administration) .
The weekend freighter service is used by thousands of residents across our Borough every year and is an essential free service. It also provides a powerful disincentive against illegal fly-tipping. This will now be replaced by a revised bulky refuse service for which residents have to pay (current prices range from £17.50 to £120 per visit)
At the meeting of the Environment and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 15th January, Borough Councillor Ian Chittenden proposed that 'the Committee objects to stopping the Weekend Freighter Service'. This was supported by the Liberal Democrat Members but was defeated by a block-vote of Conservative members of the Committee - who were in the majority.
Liberal Democrat members also ensured that their objection to the loss of a weekly residual waste service be noted.
Cllr. Rob Field (Lib Dem) MBC Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment said, "The recent introduction of new refuse contracts has increased recycling rates, whilst retaining weekly waste collections and the popular weekend freighter service. Future changes must not be slavishly led by Government targets but rather by the views of local people. The Refuse Collection Service must prioritise the preservation of local quality of life and the environment."
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