I am totally overwhelmed by the response to this petition over the weekend. Reading the comments section of the petition - as well as the many discussions on social media - I can see many personal and heartfelt reasons why this scheme will have a very real human impact. This includes the disabled resident whose 13 year old son does the gardening, who has no choice but to pay the £40 fee as they cannot access the local recycling centre. It includes residents, especially older people in society, who worry about how they will afford the £40 charge. Many people are concerned that the scheme will lead to a reduction in recycling, while others are concerned that they have no transport or, even if they do have transport, that some areas of the district are long distances from the nearest recycling centre. I've also noticed that there is a great deal of anger. Anger from residents who have already seen cuts to their street lighting, cuts to the maintenance of local green spaces, imposition of "the bedroom tax", new housing crammed into the last remaining green spaces in their neighbourhoods, and slower remedy of defects such as pot holes. Residents have seen an erosion of the things that should be making their lives better on a day-to-day basis, and they are angry that they have now received a "consultation" letter for a scheme which seems to be a complete done deal. It seems like, for many, this is the last straw. This petition has gained traction - but it still needs your help to grow. If you haven't already, please do share this petition on social media and talk to your friends about it. The petition is appearing in The Cambs Times, The Wisbech Standard and The Fenland Citizen - but this isn't anything in comparison to a recommendation of a friend. It's also no comparison to a heartfelt story about how this change will affect you, so as well as signing please do fill in the "comments" box on the council's consultation. In the meantime, I've written to Mark Mathews (FDC's Head of Environmental Services) to ask him a number of questions about the scheme. I'll update you all as soon as I get a response. Best wishes, Lawrence