I HAVE asked Cllr Kevin Bentley, who was not elected in this area, how he justifies his dictatorial and undemocratic one-man decision to close Martins Farm recycling centre when locally elected councillors, of whichever party and whatever council, are all opposed and 2,800 people in Brightlingsea alone have signed a petition against it.

It is pleasing to see his decision has been called in, but why was it necessary for a Chelmsford councillor to be the one to do it? Where were our local councillors?

Almost everyone quoted in the media, and people I have spoken to, have first said “fly-tipping”, yet Mr Bentley says it won't happen, then goes on "but if it does.... Essex County Council will help Tendring with costs." That would be just shifting public money from one budget to another.

Even reducing hours at other centres will increase fly tipping. We took some garden waste to St Osyth a few weeks ago. On the side of the access road were five or six bags of rubbish with some falling out. Obviously they were dumped by someone arriving when the centre was closed. They were there - almost on site - for at least a month before being cleared.

Others mention the queueing on Rush Green Road, which a recent Gazette letter confirmed is still happening. Who will be responsible when an accident occurs from someone taking a bend to fast and hitting a waiting vehicle? Being last in any queue on a bend is always nerve-wracking. Off-road queueing at St Osyth is safe and less disruptive to passing traffic.

The other dubious claim made by Cllr Bentley is that the Rush Green site is four times as big as Martins Farm. Just look at online satellite images to disprove that claim.

Derek Metson
Cedar Avenue
Brightlingsea