What does the public think of a proposal to close the Southern Recycling Centre (SRC) on Mondays and public holidays?

Centre chairman Alan Grace, who is also a commissioner in Port St Mary, wrote to the southern authorities that they have found being open for longer, earlier and at lunchtime was popular, but that it incurred cost.

The new timetable is set to operate from next Thursday (April 6).

Opening hours have been changed to avoid increasing charges to ratepayers as the site is in need of investment and waste disposal costs have risen ’significantly’.

At a PSM commissioners’ meeting, chairman Bernadette Williams said: ’I’m surprised as public holidays are when people use it.’

Chris Kinley pointed out that because it will be closed on Mondays that will include most public holidays.

Mr Grace said: ’The board struggled with extra charges passed on by the Department of Infrastructure, so looked at ways to reduce the burden on authorities [in the south, that contribute to the costs of running the site]. We would appreciate feedback. I’m disappointed with the decision, but it is what the board wanted.’

Alec Merchant said: ’It is not in the best interests of the public. I propose we write to the board to that effect.’

Michelle Haywood said a new environmental impact survey (EIS) of the centre must be done because of the impact dumping compost has on frogs nearby.

After a site visit, she said: ’There is a pond and frogs are a listed species protected under the wildlife act. If it is likely we have broken the act it could leave us liable to fines of up to £5,000. We need to stop dumping compost; we cannot go and impede access to where the frogs live and feed. It is a reasonable-sized problem.’

Mr Grace suggested they pass it on to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, that did the EIS.

Ms Haywood said: ’What was done then is not relevant now. We do not have permission to dump compost there anyway.’

Mr Merchant said: ’Michelle has found there is a new situation, it is a step change and the government department needs to review it.’

Ms Haywood said an EIS must be done regularly.