FARNHAM locals have expressed outrage after a man was escorted from the tip while trying to dispose of his Christmas tree.

The man, who reportedly lives just across the road from Farnham’s Community Recycling Centre in Guildford Road, was told he was not allowed to drop off his tree as he had entered the facility on foot.

Katrina Allen, who witnessed the incident, said she did not understand the policy.

“Once you get in there and get out your car, you’re walking around,” she said. She added the man had chosen to walk partly for environmental reasons.

The complaints come as the council rolled out a reduction in opening days and a ban on trailer, vans and pick-ups in recycling centres across the county. The tip at Bourne Mill will now be closed on Thursdays and Fridays.

Mike Goodman, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for environment and planning, pointed to financial issues as the cause for the reduced opening times, stating: “With the county council facing huge financial pressure due to growing demand for adult social care, children’s services and school places, we expect that we’ll need to close some of our recycling centres on quieter days in the week.”

When asked why pedestrians are not allowed at the tips, a spokesperson for Surrey County Council cited safety reasons. “This rule is nothing new,” he added.