Shropshire “taken off guard” by Telford tip restrictions, says deputy leader

The deputy leader of Shropshire Council said the unitary authority only found out that residents are now banned from using tips in Telford through the press.

Telford & Wrekin Council is now stopping people living outside the borough from using its recycling centres to reduce the financial burden on its residents.

Anyone visiting the Hortonwood or Halesfield recyling centres are now being asked to show proof they live in Telford and Wrekin. Therefore, despite having a TF postcode and living just over three miles from the Telford & Wrekin Council-run Halesfield site, Shifnal residents now face a 23-mile round trip to Bridgnorth.

Last Friday (May 8), Shifnal Town Council held its annual meeting, which was attended by Councillor Alex Wagner, deputy leader of Shropshire Council.

Councillor Wagner was asked by a resident if there was an opportunity to reinstate a mobile recycling service “as going to Bridgnorth is just not going to be viable for everybody. ”

“You will end up with loads of flytipping around the town,” said the resident.

In response, Councillor Wagner said that the local authority heard the news in the press like everbody else, and no one at Telford & Wrekin Council picked up the phone to inform them.

“We were taken off guard by it like everybody else, which I appreciate is hugely frustating,” said Councillor Wagner, adding that Shropshire Council has a good relationship with its neighbouring authority.

“Heather Kidd, the leader, and I have met with your local MP – it was very productive, I can’t fault the advocacy there. We were also in regular contact with Telford & Wrekin over the issue.

“There is clearly some give and take – what I’ve heard is that Shropshire residents cost Telford & Wrekin about £200,000, as per their report. We think Telford & Wrekin cost Shropshire about £30,000 or £40,000.

“So, there is a gap there. And it does cost money to clear up – you have to employ teams.

“Flytipping is one of those things we can never devolve to a town or parish – it has to be done at unitary level because of the powers of enforcement and the civil action. So clearly, there’s some costs to Shropshire there, and will incur.

“But we’re open to options and thosde discussions.”

Councillor Paul Williamson, the Mayor of Shropshire, said he is extremely keen for the issue to be resolved.

“I don’t want to trek all the way to Bridgnorth like everybody else when it’s five minutes up the road to go to Halesfield,” said Councillor Williamson.

“Ir doesn’t make sense in any way, shape or form.

“I am hopeful that Shropshire Council can come up with a common sense, practical solution with our friends from Telford and Wrekin.

“If not, I know councillors are keen to explore other options. I can say for definite that the council will look at it, I can’t say we’ll come up with the solution.

“If we have to spend a little bit to come up with a solution, together with Shropshire Council, we will do that. But hopefully, common sense will prevail.”

Councillor Carolyn Healy, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, planning and sustainability at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Following a review of non-resident use at our household recycling centres, including the impact of the additional charges for green waste collections introduced by Shropshire Council in 2024, the council estimates that usage of our facilities by residents living outside the borough costs approximately £200,000 per annum.

“Discussions with Shropshire Council commenced in 2024 on this issue. Following discussions over recent months, the council introduced changes at our household recycling centres from April to make sure the service continues to operate fairly for Telford and Wrekin residents who fund it.

“In our commitment to protecting the environment, we’ve recently extended our recycling offer to include a free fortnightly kerbside collection of cartons, plastic cans and glass in addition to our free fortnightly green waste collections and weekly food waste collections, helping our residents to recycle responsibly.”