FEWER THAN one in 10 people support controversial changes to Oxfordshire’s recycling centres.

According to Oxfordshire County Council’s own survey, just seven per cent of comments received were in favour of the planned changes, which includes closing Oxford’s Redbridge Recycling Centre during the week.

Other plans include reducing the overall number of county sites from eight to six.

Once it reopens, Redbridge will be for trade use only in the week.

Waste chiefs had planned to permanently close the site to the public, but after a huge public backlash the idea was partly shelved.

The council has now proposed that the site opens to residents at the weekend and on bank holidays once it reopens after closing for a nine-month refurbishment next year.

It has also dropped plans to accept rubbish only at a proposed Kidlington site in an effort to cut landfill.

Blackbird Leys community leader Gordon Roper said the comments proved that people were still not happy about the changes.

He said: “I was at the site the other day and it was rammed.

“It will only get worse.

“Fly-tipping will increase, without a doubt.”

In total 610 comments were received about the proposal from councillors, residents, and groups.

Twenty eight per cent said there was a lack of provision in their area, 26 per cent said fly-tipping would increase, and 21 per cent commented on the increased traffic the plans would prompt.

Six per cent commented on the reduced opening times at Redbridge and three per cent supported the opening of a re-use shop at Kidlington.

Among the main concerns for residents was the fact that the journey time to their nearest facility would increase for people in rural locations.

Concerns were also raised over traffic queues at weekends. Some of those consulted also felt the proposals did not take proper account of pressures resulting from population growth in Oxfordshire.

Mr Roper added: “I have to say I agree with the 93 per cent of people who don’t support the changes.”

The proposals are recommended for approval at a cabinet meeting tonight.

County council spokesman Owen Morton said: “We’ve listened carefully to what people said about our original proposals and changed them as a result.

“Trying to save millions of pounds across all of our services is a very difficult process.

“It should be noted that the response rate to the recent survey represents around 0.05 per cent of Oxfordshire’s population.”