Residents across Retford are frustrated — and rightly so.

Every week, people arrive at Retford's Household Waste Recycling Centre only to be turned away. Skips are often full. The site is, IMO too small for a growing community. And with nowhere to take their waste, the risk of fly-tipping across our area grows.

This isn't an occasional problem. It's happening almost every day and it isn't just Retford Tip.

I HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR CHANGE

I've raised this issue directly for many, many months  with Executive Directors and officers at Nottinghamshire County Council, with the new Reform administration, and at Full Council itself. The message is simple — the current situation is unacceptable and residents deserve better. I keep getting told things are happening, but it isn't improving.

The site staff do a great job in the circumstances but are not getting the support, or the regular changing of skips they need.

Please be kind to them as they get frustrated, too.

This is not only about getting skips replaced in a timely fashion, which is one of the main issues but Retford is growing and contributing more to the County Council coffers. It needs a better system and that planning is needed now, not when it is too late.

A SOLUTION ALREADY EXISTS

Under the previous Nottinghamshire County Council Conservative administration, a cross-party team with Conservative, Labour and Independent Cllrs examined options for improving HWRCs across the county.

One serios proposal was to replace both Retford and Worksop's facilities with a modern, larger Supertip — fit for purpose and capable of properly serving our communities and importantly having capacity for increased population growth.

That proposal deserves to be heard. Other options need to be heard.

The whole system needs a thorough review, a costed feasibility analysis and for the needs of Retford and North Notts residents to be prioritised.

I will keep pushing until it, and also you, as residents are prioritised.

I will aim to present this petition to Nottinghamshire County Council at a Full Council meeting at the earliest opportunity.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

If you've been turned away from Retford Tip, or have concerns about fly-tipping in your area, let me know. Every account helps build the case for action.

Cllr.Mike.Introna@nottscc.gov.uk

Community First. Always.

Mike Introna — County Councillor for Retford East