LIB Dem county councillors have expressed disappointment after Conservatives in Surrey voted to rubber stamp unpopular cuts to community recycling centres across the county.

Stephen Cooksey, Surrey’s Lib Dem environment spokesperson, tabled a ‘call-in’ request alongside other opposition councillors which, if successful, would have forced Surrey’s Tory cabinet to consider the matter again.

However, Conservative councillors on Surrey’s environment committee blocked the call-in request and so the cuts to the opening hours of community recycling centres and increased charges will now go ahead.

Mr Cooksey said: “This is bad news for Surrey residents. The Conservatives had the chance to ask to ask their cabinet colleagues to rethink these ill-thought out proposals but instead they have let them off the hook.

“Residents will not be impressed when they are charged for their DIY waste or when they find the tip closed for many more days a week.

“They will hold this Conservative council responsible for this reduction in service and I will be monitoring the situation closely to try and protect CRCs from further cuts from the Tories in the months and years ahead.”