The county council says the waste disposal centre is far too expensive to run, so users of the Buckden site have been told that they will have to take their rubbish to recycling centres at Bluntisham, Alconbury and St Neots which are "all high performing sites" ready to take customers as soon as the Buckden contract with the Waste Recycling Group (WRG) ends.

Mike Shellens, chairman of Brampton Parish Council and district councillor for Huntingdon East, said he was 'appalled' at the council's decision which, he said, did not make economical or environmental sense.

Cllr Shellens said: "We estimate that there are 100,000 visits to the Buckden site a year. To get to our nearest site at Alconbury will mean a 14 miles round trip for our residents. If you allow 40p a mile, that adds up to quite a lot of money for tax payers to find. It is nothing but a stealth tax on people.

"The cost to the environment will be appalling with great lorries taking rubbish from Alconbury to Waterbeach in North Cambridge when Buckden has a huge tip with massive capacity."
Cllr Shellens added:"Anyway, the tip will continue to deal with trade waste. The situation is barking mad."

The Huntingdon councillor said he had presented a petition of 4,000 signatures to the county council.

However, Cllr Sir Peter Brown, the county council's Cabinet Member for Economy Environment and Climate Change, said: "Whilst we regret the closure, Buckden is the most expensive recycling centre contract within the county and we have a duty to all our residents to use our limited financial resources to best effect.

"Even after the closure of Buckden, the area will still be served by three excellent recycling centres."
Cllr Colin Hyams, Executive Councillor for Operational and Countryside Services at Huntingdonshire District Council, said the district council had an excellent kerbside recycling service.

He said: "We are proud of the good use residents make of these facilities, helping us reach the top five districts for recycling and composting in the country."

Cllr Hyams added: "I'm a pensioner myself and I find the Alconbury staff very helpful and willing to assist on every occasion.
"I look forward to the St Neots state-of-the-art recycling centre opening, which will make recycling even easier and save council tax payers more money in the long term."