PEOPLE in parishes in and around Berkeley are being consulted following changes that have meant that people in Gloucestershire are unable to use South Gloucestershire recycling centres.

The issue has been raised by councils that, despite being closer to the centre in Thornbury than any in Gloucestershire, are forbidden from using waste recycling centres run by the neighbouring local authority following newly-implemented registration rules.

Following consultation, South Gloucestershire Council now requires users of its Sort It centres 24 hours prior to using the facilities – barring people from outside the area from using it.

The change was made in a bid to save the council money but it has left residents of the Alkington, Berkeley, Ham and Stone, Hamfallow and Hinton parishes, having to travel further, to the facility near Horsley.

Now Gloucestershire County Council has launched a consultation as it attempts to “negotiate access” for residents of the parishes to the Thornbury Sort It centre.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, deputy leader of Gloucestershire County Council said: “South Gloucestershire Council is no longer allowing residents living in Gloucestershire use of the nearby Thornbury Sort it centre, so we’d like to hear from our residents who may be affected by the change.

“We’ll use the information to engage with South Gloucestershire Council on behalf of our residents to see if we can negotiate access.”

Consultees are being asked how many times they used the Thornbury centre in information which has been delivered to households in the area.

To send Gloucestershire County Council views email waste@gloucestershire.gov.uk with your name, address and how many times you estimate that you use the Thornbury site in an average year.

Responses can also be written to: Gloucestershire Joint Waste Team, Block 5, Shire Hall, Gloucester, GL1 2TH.