I JUST had to write in response to the proposal to close down the Redbridge recycling centre in Oxford.

We, as a community in a large city, are constantly told that we must recycle, behave responsibly ecologically and commit to being responsible for the environment we live in.

I am astounded and astonished that anyone could suggest closing Redbridge.

How exactly would the county council like residents to continue to recycle everything from light bulbs and batteries to old clothes and televisions, plastics, metal, wood, bottles – the list goes on?

And where exactly would the council like us to continue to do this? I can say for sure that many current faithful Redbridge users will either not want to, not be able to or not want to travel further afield, to Kidlington or elsewhere, to continue to do their bit for the environment and our community.

Please don’t encourage us and pressure us to recycle, when you are taking away the very facility that can ensure we do just that.

Redbridge is so important in allowing people to recycle as much as they can.

The staff who maintain the site and help the public when they arrive are fantastic, knowledgeable and do a great job ensuring the right waste goes to the right section and often helping those that need it to empty their vehicles.

Redbridge is an important, integral part of this community.

Without it, many people will no longer continue to recycle the way they do and it will definitely put off anyone new to recycling who may be thinking of ‘doing the right thing’ as regards their own waste management.

It is a big, big mistake to even think about closing Redbridge and if it comes down to it, I, for one, will be standing at those gates demonstrating my displeasure and annoyance at its closure.

I can guarantee that our laybys, ditches, fields, canals, streets and country lanes will be the places to dump stuff if Redbridge closes.

People just won’t bother and it’s hard enough encouraging people to recycle at the best of times.

If the recycling centre closes, I hope the county council is well prepared for the constant clear-up they will be doing when people feel they have no other option but to get rid of their rubbish anywhere.

AMANDA ROGERS, Cowley Road, Oxford